Searching for the -Rolls-Royce-: My Macallan 12 Anticipation
"There's something even better than Balvenie," she said.
That one sentence sparked a fire in my heart. After the sweet, honey-filled revelation of Balvenie 12 Year DoubleWood, I couldn't imagine anything being "better" or "smoother." But the name she mentioned was legendary: Macallan.
The Bottle Dilemma: Why We Stayed Patient
To be clear, finding Macallan 12 in retail shops wasn't difficult at all. It was readily available on the shelves. The real issue was our drinking habits: my girlfriend and I simply didn't drink very often, and we still had plenty of Balvenie 12 left at home.
Committing to a whole new bottle of Macallan 12 just to taste it felt like an unnecessary leap. We desperately wanted to try it by the glass first. However, luck wasn't on our side. In almost every bar we visited, Macallan 12 was strictly sold by the bottle, not as a single dram. The legendary "Rolls-Royce of Whiskies" remained just out of reach, its flavor a complete mystery.
A Detour in Bohol, Philippines
While this curiosity was still brewing, we went on a vacation to Bohol, Philippines. Since we couldn't get a single glass of Macallan back home, my girlfriend tried to introduce me to a different 12-year-old single malt at a local store near our resort.
Her intention was great—she wanted to suggest an alternative that was more budget-friendly than Balvenie but still offered a decent, quality profile. Because I was still completely ignorant about whisky brands at the time, I didn't even memorize the name of it.
We poured a glass back at our room with casual expectations, but... it was a disappointment. Compared to the rich Balvenie I remembered, the aroma felt flat, and the alcohol burn was much harsher. The failed experiment only made my soul crave that missing Macallan experience even more.
The Unexpected Invite
We returned to reality after the Bohol trip, the taste of disappointment still fresh in my memory. Just as I was wondering when I'd finally get to taste the elusive dram, a message arrived from an old friend (Hyung).
"I'm opening a new bar. We're having a soft opening in a few days. Come over."
Could this be it? Would I finally meet the legend?
To be continued in Part 4: The Soft Opening and the Golden Dram.