Today I taste one of John’s favourites, the Macallan 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Macallan has managed to position their whisky in the premium whisky category. It has not been without controversy, especially around their antique collection.
The Macallan holds the Guinness world record for the most expensive whisky ever sold at auction. However, if there is one thing that I have learnt during our tasting sessions over the years, expensive whisky does not necessarily equate to great whisky.
Some of the best whiskies in my collection are in the more affordable range. Examples such as Ballantine’s Finest, The Black Grouse and South Africa’s very own Bain’s whisky comfortably stand alongside more expensive releases.
I have enjoyed some of the more affordable whiskies of late, and it is time for a change. Let’s take something a bit more expensive out of the box. The Macallan 12 year old Sherry Cask is not the most expensive whisky, but it carries a significant premium over many other 12 yo whiskies.
This particular expression has since been discontinued, so I am keen to try it. The Macallan distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Craigellachie, Moray. The River Spey, one of Scotland’s most famous rivers, borders the estate to the south and southeast.
Even though Macallan is located right in the middle of the Speyside region, it’s not labelled as such. Under the Scotch Whisky Regulations, the “Speyside” designation can only be used by distilleries in certain wards in the traditional Speyside region. Craigellachie falls outside of these boundaries. The Macallan falls into the Scottish Highlands.
The Macallan Distillers Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Edrington Group that purchased the brand from Highland Distillers in 1999.
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Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review
REGION: Highland
ABV: 43%.
COLOUR: It has spent lots of time exclusively maturing in Jerez Sherry Oak casks, which probably explains the very dark colour. The colour is almost red gold, and it is easily one of the darker whiskies in my collection.
NOSE: The immediate Sherry sweetness that you would expect from a whisky aged in a Sherry cask. There are fresh fruits and some flowers on the nose. The sweetness has little hints of vanilla in the background. It is not a very complex nose. Adding a drop or two of water opens this Macallan 12 year old and brings more fresh fruit and flowers.
PALATE: It is quite a smooth whisky, and the first tasting brings spices. This is followed by raisins, oak and red fruit sweetness. It leaves a spicy taste on the palette. There are notes of marmalade and dried fruits. Again, this Macallan 12 year old is not very complex, but it is an easy-drinking whisky.
FINISH: The whisky is quite warming with a medium finish. The Macallan finishes in notes of condensed milk and spice, particularly ginger and hints of black pepper.
RATING: VERY GOOD
It is a nice whisky to add to a collection, but other 12 year old whiskies may prove better value for money. In some ways, it is a perplexing whisky. I suspect that in time it grows on you. The Whisky Bible scores this Macallan 12 year old whisky at 93 and calls it almost flawless.
I did not rate it as highly, but it’s by no means a bad whisky. I just find it a bit bland. Other Macallan releases I have tasted include the Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old and I liked it a lot more.
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