Insider knowledge: The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak whisky is named whisky by virtue of the fact it's from Scotland. If distilled in America the spelling would be The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak whiskey, as opposed to whisky.
The nose is quite crisp and sweet. There are notes of sultanas and fresh apple blossom. There is a defined floral note with a beautiful sherry, calvados emerges with a tropical fruit note and golden syrup. The palate is of medium-body and quite firm. There are notes of hot pastries and marmalade, sultanas and peels with a developing sweetness from the barley sugar. The finish is of good length with a solid oaked note.
Doesnt deserve its global popularity. Unpleasant sulfur notes are prominent. Low scores in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible reflect the poor quality of this product.
This is a superbly balanced malt. If the above reviewer cannot spell sulphur then how can he hope to taste it!
Can tell you the Macallan 12 Fine Oak is brilliant, shameful if this one is sulfered but maybe that was just the 2009-2010 bottlings...here's hoping
It is fantastic in the sherry class. One of the five best. This Macallan deliver the very most to me. /MN in Sweden.
Competitor adverse opinion is a shinning star
It is the best in class , always been the same "Great"
I hate suphured whiskies (unfortunately I have some), but I really like this one. Maybe there is a very-very little hint, but it's way below the line. By the way: sulphur in UK, sulfur in US (see wikipedia) :) From Hungary
I've not even opened my bottle of 12 y/o Macallan yet, but I wanted to comment on the absolutely superb quality of the packaging used to protect my first order on its journey from Master of Malt's cellars. Having worked in the packaging industry for 38 years, I've never before come across the inflatable sleeve protecting the precious amber nectar. Brilliant! Thank you - with that, and your keen pricing, you've guaranteed my repeat business!
In the palate and the finish, there is some late bitterness, which indicates that at least slightly sulphured cask have been used. Not the best sherried malts from Macallan. The Fine Oak 12 yo is considerable better, although less sherried than this one.
I so wanted to like this...but...it's just a weak whiskey that becomes watery after a few minutes. It has a decent nose, but more then that...as a malt whiskey it's sub-mediocre,could go even as far as saying it's bad.
I got spiced maple sugar for the nose, and a touch of wood on the palate. Overall, I'd say it's light and sweet, with less body than the MoM Speyside Single Malt. Certainly drinkable, but not my first choice.
I have been drinking ths single malt for 5 years. All those who say it is over rated don't kow much about whiskey or its history or the fine people including celebrities that have it as one of their favourates. I happen to enjoy the likes of Tslisker, Glenlivit, Dalwhinie etc. To new comers, this is it in the world of the blessed waters.
Always a pleasure to have a Macallan
I suspect that may of "All those who say it is over rated" DO know about whisky. The fact that celebrities drink this says more about marketing than anything else. It's a perfectly ok whisky (no "e", thanks, since this is Scotland), but it is a shadow of the 90s bottles and too often is slightly sulfured. If you get a bottle that's been open a bit, the sulfur may have blown off and it's then quite palatable. For serious traditional sherry cask, go for Glendronach. If you have vintage bottles, save them so that one day you can show newbies how Mac used to taste.
I'm new to the single malt scene. I'm finding my palate more suited to non -prated speysiders at this point. I like the sherry nose and finish and have had satisfactory experiences with balvenie 12 doublewood, glenfiddich malt masters edition, and aberlour abunadh. I just tried a dram of the macallan 12 at a local pub and was glad I did not spring for a bottle. It had an odd,off puting element that was diminished with the addition of water, but never quite went away.
Have enjoyed Highland Scotch (Macallan) for over 20yrs. and all others that I've tried (including those from the isle), in my opinion can not compare to the pure enjoying satisfaction of Macallan. What you get from the sherry cask is what MAKES Macallan what it is. Have enjoyed the 12, 18 and 25yr and can say without a doubt the older the vintage the better. This is one Scotch that I felt was ahead of all others. The satisfaction I get from this is top notch. Others have noted a dis-satisfaction on the Macallan taste in recent times, and I would have to agree. There is something lacking from years before that I can't put a finger on. I can only pray that Macallan is not allowing the best cask to be sent to Asia (China) instead to those who would truly enjoy and appreciate the time and quality that makes Macallan a Scotch when mention, one eyes to get wide with acknowledgment. I for one would be sadden if Macallan allowed it's profits to over rule it's quality. With that I suggest those to try the CASK STRENGHT Macallan if you can still find it! Hears hoping quality out weighs quantity! THREE FINGERS ONE CUBE!
"Sulfur" is actually correct.
Well, all the bourgeois yahoo reviews apart, I still love this 12 year old MacAllan & that is just all.