Macallan 12 Year Old

Jan 4

Macallan is one of those names that gets recognized in the general population - you don’t need to know whiskey (or whisky, in this case) to know that Macallan IS a whisky. Their 12 YO Double Cask release is the cornerstone of The Macallan brand. Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to age their whiskies in used sherry casks, lending it a unique color and flavor profile that they’re now known for. Even if sherry aging is ubiquitous in single malt Scotch nowadays, Macallan is an OG of the game.

Macallan is also a bottle that always makes a great gift - it’s synonymous with quality, even colloquially. Think of it this way - not only several, but the majority of the most expensive whiskies ever sold at auction were Macallan. The same distillate is in the 12 YO as it is in the Lalique Decanters from the 20s and 30s - don’t tell me that isn’t tempting in itself!

Macallan 12 Year Old: Specs

Classification: Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Origin: Macallan Distillery

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Proof: 86 (43% ABV)

Age: 12 YO

Location: N/A

Macallan 12 Year Old Price: $79.99 (MSRP)

Official Website

Macallan 12 Year Old Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Burnished copper.

Nose: Sherry cask right at the level you want it. Some oak on the throat, red fruits dancing delicately up front. Some dark chocolate lingers in the background.

Palate: Sherry-soaked raisins, dried cherries, and a cinnamon/clove spice. Mouthwatering, spicy, and fruity all at once, even at a modest proof point. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and coating.

Finish: Lingering, sherry darkness and fruit studded with clove and cinnamon sticks.

Overall: A great everyday sipping single malt and more importantly a great introduction to single malt Scotch for anyone interested in trying the field.

Final Rating: 6.4

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)