Macallan is now releasing a new line of four single malt whiskys with the 1824 Collection label, an homage to the year in which Macallan began operation. None of these malts date back to 180-some years ago, mind you, but they do pay respects to that era. I tried the three bottlings which will be commonly available — the 1824 Limited Release will run more than $2,000 a bottle, and I sadly didn’t get to sample it — and they all share a common DNA. Comments on each of the other three members of the quartet follow.

Macallan 1824 Select Oak – Intense honey on the front of this whisky, with a brewed tea finish. Light in style with a moderate amount of wood from both American and European oak barrels finished with bourbon and sherry. An interesting fig character comes through along with some vanilla and butterscotch on the finish. Lots of fun, easy to drink. 80 proof. A-

Macallan 1824 Whisky Maker’s Edition – Bigger and bolder than the Select Oak, with a spicier character — like allspice or cloves — coming through prominently. A bigger dried fruit flavor hits with the Whisky Maker’s Edition, with a finish that harkens back to that brewed tea again. A touch of smoke also plays at the conclusion. Also a winner. 85.6 proof. A-

Macallan 1824 Estate Reserve – Even bigger than the Whisky Maker’s Edition, a classic Scotch with burnt sugar, honey, old wood, and leather notes. A real powerhouse, this is an Everyman’s whisky with pleasant yet rugged character. Intriguing orange and chocolate notes play with the wood here, ultimately a spicy but more earthy version of the Whisky Maker’s Edition. 91.4 proof. A-

Select Oak (40%): Sweet and savory. There is light spice on the nose, but predominately malt, vanilla, and buttered popcorn. There is also moss and lavender to add to the complexity. A medium-weight body is followed by a delightfully drying, medium-length finish. Buttery and smooth, the finish is replete with malt, oak, oranges, and a light nutty character. The Select Oak is beautifully integrated, giving an overall impression of velvety sophistication. Nicely done!

Whisky Maker’s Edition (42.8%): One whiff and you’ll know that the Whisky Maker’s Edition is a different animal entirely. Very oily and “meaty”, this expression also noses vanilla, fresh fruits (oranges), honey, ginger, mincemeat, malt, and lots of oak. Medium-textured, this dram has a rather hot, dry, and minty finish, with cardamom, marmalade, light sherry and smoke, and oak throughout. Lots of oak. Did I mention lots of oak? (As a side note, both the Whisky Maker’s Edition and the Select Oak are being bottled at one liter, making them an even better value.)

Estate Reserve (45.7%): The star of this dram is its nose. Absorbing the best that its sherry casks and hogsheads could offer, the Estate Reserve is almost wine-like in its presentation. But there’s so much more! Chocolate, vanilla, salted cashews, amaretto, cloves, citrus; heck, a whole Christmas fruit basket! A medium/full body foretold of a beautiful finish to come. But, alas! The finish is merely good; shorter than anticipated, although still spicy, with oak, tart cherries, and a slightly chalky undertone. Not that the finish falls flat, mind you, it just doesn’t deliver on the promise. Ah, but that nose! Jimmy Durante, eat your heart out.