Raise The Macallan

Fun experience to do once. Will be informative to veterans and newbies alike. You must RSVP online to gain access to this free event. The night starts with a hefty pour of the ten year Macallan, followed by a presentation of how Macallan is made and why it differs from the competition. Throughout the presentation, you’re met by smaller pourings or their different varieties including an 18 year. While the event was fun and informative, it was pretty long winded. Definitely a good free event, but probably will pass next year when the invites come out.

Came here the other night for my second time. Le’t’s just say it doesn’t change at all and the jokes get old, so pro tip: even though this event is for free and you get a decent amount of free Macallan, don’t go more than once.
Regardless, Kieran, the «West Coast Embassador», is a cute little Scottish guy who kinda reminds me of Crowley from Supernatural, is a great host who is entertaining and explains the process of how Macallan makes their scotch. You get to try a variety of their different labels after starting off with a cocktail.
It’s a fun experience to do once.

I heard about this event from a friend and didn’t believe it at first that there was this totally free Macallan tasting,
Tips/​summary of the night:
— street parking on Van ness is pretty easy at night
— they really will turn people away if you’re too late or if it’s too full (we made it just in time as the last ones)
— the initial Macallan 10 that you get is a reasonable but not huge pour, BUT you can go back for more (unlimited refills!).
— they pass around some appetizers
— free refills end about 30 min after the start of the event as they usher people inside for the lecture
— you learn about the Macallan history and process inside, and it’s an interactive and engaging presentation from a Scottish guy
— they pour small tastes of Macallan 10, 12, 15, and 18 and go through each as you sample them
— they have almonds, water, and chocolates for you at the table during the presentation
The whole thing took maybe 90 min max. Arrive early so you can enjoy more of the Macallan 10 before the lecture.

Raise the Macallan was a fun tasting event held at the Regency. It required a prior registration rsvp online but was free otherwise. It started with a glass of Macallan 10 in the waiting room which had servers with appetizers roaming about. Once everyone was admitted they moved us in to the main room where we were all seated at tables facing the stage.
The presentation was entertaining and fun, with the Macallan representative leading everyone through the proper smelling and tasting methods. Every so often servers would come out with glasses containing Macallan 10, 12, 15 and 18.
He also used slides and videos to show the creation process and various facts about Macallan. He had a very thick scottish accent which we suspected may have been exaggerated intentionally for effect. His use of humor and crowd participation made the event a great experience.
Overall, free quality scotch is always a winner in my book.

So this was my first Macallan event but not my first of its type. It was a very nice event in that it got you very interested pretty quickly. The space was stunning and filled with bits of interesting ways to make the environment fun and educational from displays of the most expensive and exclusive of the brand to photo booths and stations that put your olfactory senses to the test.
I found that as fun as it all was, the time you had to experience it all was amazingly short lived. I found my self rushing to each station or point of interest as fast as I could to try and take in all the event had to offer which left me feeling… Well… Rushed and unsatisfied, but, it’s free so what can I say?
The reception ends and you are wized off to a main presentation room. Here the main presentation was a tasting of Macallan’s 10– 18yr scotch presented by an entertaining and witty Scottish cruise director type. This was a fine experience accept the fact that some how, my entire table got passed over for the first tasting. I had to walk over to one of the directors and point out that my table hadn’t received anything as all other tables had. Not sure how that happened but definitely dampened the mood on the event.
All and all it was a nice and semi informative event. It was pretty hasty so u need to be a very quick study. I’ll also point out again, it was free. A good event to to attend for those newly stepping into the whiskey world.

Love that the event was free — I think there’s definitely room for improvement though.
This event was held in two main rooms. In the first room people mingle, and tried their first 10 year, and were then ushered into the main seating area where we tried a splash of the 10, 12, 14, and 18 years.
I enjoyed the energy of the presenter and the overall set-​up in the 2^nd room. I think that the 1^st room was over-​crowded and almost unnecessary. There was little or no direction as to what was supposed to happen and the «cards» we were given at the entrance, were almost immediately taken 5 mins within walking in. My friends and I almost thought the tasting ended after the first room.
Additionally, for newer whiskey drinkers like myself, I also would have appreciated more information on the drink and how to properly drink it. Overall it was still an enjoyable evening… it just needs to tie a few loose ends.

Like it! Nice venue — spacious and perfect for the McCallan Whiskey tasting event I attended :)

A little cheesy, but in the end it was still a free whiskey tasting.
Signed up for a Tuesday tour with a group of friends. The first part of the event consisted of a reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a single tasting of a 10 year Macallan. There was also a photo both and a whiskey tasting note smell station (don’t know how else to describe it).
After 15 min or so at the reception, we proceeded to the presentation room. As expected, the presentation consisted of videos accompanied by inspirational music and an overly enthusiastic presenter. Tables had a couple of ipads with trivia questions. We did get a chance to taste 4 different whiskeys.
Overall, I enjoyed the event. Technology was overused to the point of being gimmicky (smartphones constantly scanning other phones just seemed a bit silly) and I wish the event was a little more intimate as we did not really get a chance to talk to folks outside of our group. In the end, I got free whiskey and got to learn a thing or two about single malt scotch, so no major complaints.

After attending a Macallan tasting event last year, I was looking forward to another one of their tasting events. This year’s event was held again at the Regency Ballroom.
Checking in, we received our drink card and proceeded to a small ballroom where you get your Macallan served «Neat», «On the Rocks» or «Mixed». While waiting, you might be about to cross paths with servers with Hors d’oeuvres. We got to try chicken skewers, radish crostini and a short rib crostini. They had several displays educating people about their Scotch. The room got crowded and noisy as the more people checked in for the event.
Then they started checking people into the Main Ballroom and an usher took you to your seats. After the crowd of about 250 was seated, the tasting event started. We were provided tastings of the Macallan 10, 12, 15, and 18 year scotches. Before each year was brought out, we were shown a film clip and the mc would provide some information about that scotch. After the serving of the 18, the mc offers a «Cheers» and we had our 18 and the event anti-​climatically ended.
After recently attended the Johnnie Walker event, Macallan’s event paled in comparison. At Johnnie Walker, you learned the product and was able to truly experience the different JW scotches without it being rushed in a crowded environment.
Overall, it was a good «free» event, though the samples could not be classified as «splashes».

This was definitely an event I was looking forward to and it was definitely pretty well-​organized but, having gone to a few whiskey tastings, It definitely was not my favorite.
What it DID do well:
1. Venue.
2. Scotch (no brainer there)
3. Information on the process from tree to bottle.
4. Neat tricks like how to smell the barley in Macallan 15.
5. The trivia at each table.
What it DIDN’T do well:
1. Rushed.
2. Less of an emphasis on the history of Macallan
3. Too much emphasis on things that did not need it (SMALL STILLS)
4. Tasting itself wasn’t as comprehensive.
To compare and contrast, at the House of Johnnie Walker, the groups were much more frequent but smaller, the speaker was much more engaging, and the tasting started with trying Black Label 3 different ways to compare and contrast. The Macallan did have the tea to show how people drank it in Shanghai, but it seemed more like an afterthought than a serious comparison.
In the end, I liked it because I love Macallan, but as an actual tasting event, it could have been better.

This wasn’t my first time tasting Macallan, but my first attending one of these events. I have to admit: I was surprised at the turnout. It was cold, miserable, and came with a long line. Only in San Francisco, I guess. Helps that this even was free, provided that you registered. And that they didn’t go with the nonsense of manually finding your name: you were scanned in. Finally! Technology!
There were some caterers going around with small bites, but we were too full to try any. It was a nice touch though. Took a photo as a souvenir, then they ushered us to the main room for the presentation.
The iPads in the main room were cool. They really added to the presentation, and it was cool that you can sign yourself in. They did mini quizzes on there, and we found out why that was cool: if you get a high accuracy/​speed score on the quiz, you get to have a big glass of Macallan with a round ball of ice. Surprisingly yummy.
Presentation was fun and entertaining, and you learned a lot of interesting things about other countries and how they enjoy their whiskey. I really enjoyed it with ice Japanese style (round ball of ice), and it really changed my idea of whiskey. Mainly that the cheap stuff is well, really crappy and cheap and the good stuff is good and a wee out of my present price range.
Yummy yummy roasted pecans. Goes superbly well with Macallan.

Came for the event and it was OK. Stood in line for one shot of 10yr old whiskey. Then got one appetizer. After being seat we had a shot glass of walnuts and a splash of 4 different kinds of whiskey.
Had more drinks at other events. There wasn’t much to entertain oneself.

Just went to the October session. I really enjoyed trying the different Macallan offerings since I’m not as familiar with the distillary. The presentation was slick, but engaging. High-​impact visuals and a good presenter. The whisky was fantastic! Negatives: Some passed appetizers, but not many considering the number of people. Cocktail/​mixer room time was rushed. Seemed like we waited in a queue for 20 minutes before getting inside. Also the wireless was overloaded and neither my friend or I could get on to «connect» to answer the quizes, etc. Minor issue once the scotch arrived!

Whiskey and free — two of my favorite things.
This was the second time I’ve Raised the Macallan, the first back in 2009, and boy has the event grown! The addition of appetizers was a nice surprise and the presenter seemed truly excited to be there.
I’m thankful for another taste of the 10, 12, 15, 18 and 25 year old best scotch whiskey on Earth!

If I paid for this event I might be a bit surprised with the pours, but for free this was amazing. The guy who presented it was really engaging and I learned a ton about whiskey. Oh and free appetizers – come on!

I am new to these tasting events but I must say I was impressed. It was very educational and fun. Got to learn about the differences between various types of whiskey and the different ways to enjoy them. They also gave enough per glass to actually be able to sit back and enjoy each one for a couple of minutes (I loved the Macallan 18yr, I want more!!!). The presentation was entertaining yet quick and to the point. All in all, I would definitely recommend going to this event in the future… oh and did I mention it was free!!!

Free. Whiskey. !!!

Okay. So aside from the obvious awesomeness of FREE alcohol and appetizers, Macallan did a great job of putting this event together.
Cocktail hour — Servers brought fresh appetizer platters out of the kitchen nonstop for a solid half hour. Considering it was a free event, I was just happy I didn’t have to elbow people to get a few deviled eggs.
Space — The cocktail hour space was too big and the tasting room was a bit overcrowded. Thankfully I got a space at the front table but I could tell the folks in the back had a hard time following along because the presenter had to keep telling them to be quiet — either that, or they were just totally wasted.
The presentation was fun, lively and entertaining. And it didn’t hurt that the «tastings» were generously portioned. I actually left whiskey on the table because I had enough and I had to drive home… I know… for SHAME!
Macallan definitely knows how to show folks a great time.

Free whisky!
This is the 3^rd time I’ve attended this event and it is a great, classy event. You start with the 10 year Macallan along with light tray passing. Then you move on to the sitting room where they serve you the 12, 15, 17, and 18 year. Throughout the tasting an emcee schools you about the distillery in Scotland and the different regions of whisky.
You learn alot about it through these tastings that will make you want to try different ones from different regions. Definitely a must!
The location changes every year, but just sign up on their site and you will get the invite next year. Sign up quickly because slots get filled especially the ones near the weekends.

Who doesn’t love FREE alcohol?!!
Unlike some people who attend these Whiskey Tasting events as first-​timers, I’ve actually been to one before so I knew what to expect and actually have a basis to compare it to. But bottom line, any organized event that serves free alcohol to patrons deserves 5-​stars in my book.
THE REASON I DOCKED ONE STAR:
The beginning of the event seemed rushed and disorganized to me. I missed the 6:30−8pm tasting so I decided to attend the 8:30−10 and since it immediately followed the first one, there was sort of a lag letting people in. The line was long and moved slowly, we were waiting in the rain, and when we got inside, we didn’t have much time to enjoy our first drink at the bar (10-​year-​old Macallan) as the ladies started yelling to everyone, «Ok, as soon as you get your drink, come inside and get seated.» I understand we’re trying to keep a schedule but I was sort of turned off by the way they barked the orders at everyone. I didn’t even get to take pictures in the first room and they closed it off during the tasting so that was an opportunity missed.
–And when we proceeded to look for a seat, another girl came up to us, «All those seats in front are full so you can make your way to the back and there are seats there.» And it wasn’t just me they were saying this to, but at least be nice about it. I understand you’re there to do a job and want to get the heck out of there, but at least smile at us and pretend you care about interpersonal relations.
These two items could’ve easily been prevented had they actually had an usher to seat people (like at the Johnnie Walker tasting). I also would’ve preferred to have my own individual serving of nuts instead of just one big container on the table for everyone to grab out of. I don’t really know where their hands have been so I passed.
After that, the speaker spoke a little but he would describe the whiskey after it had already been served and downed, which left people at my table often asking, «Wait, which one is he talking about? The 15 or 17? Is that the one we just drank?»
ONTO THE BEST PART:
I do like that the drinks just kept on coming and there was less chit-​chat/​speaking in between each one. I mean, to be quite honest, I don’t think people really go there to learn about whiskey anyway (there’s the internet for that) and we just want to get our swerve on. I remember drinking the 10-​year-​old scotch, the 12, 15, 17, and 18. I was really hoping we would go all the way up to the 60 but one can only hope.
Other than that, everything was fine. 5 glasses of whiskey later, why wouldn’t it be?