Released as part of Macallan’s ever-wonderful Sherry Oak range comes this 12 Year Old. It has spent its entire maturation in sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez, and is bottled at 40% ABV after its 12 years of ageing. It’s full of all those hallmark dried fruit and marmalade notes we’ve come to know and love from a sherried Macallan.
Crisp and sweet. There are notes of sultanas and fresh apple blossom. There is a defined floral note followed by Sherry hints. Calvados emerges with a tropical fruit note and golden syrup.
Medium-body and quite firm. There are notes of hot pastries and marmalade, sultanas and peels with a developing sweetness from the barley sugar.
Good length with a solid oaked note
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Summary sums it up, smooth smooth smooth and rich, beautiful color, a bit too sweet from a bit too much sherry but pleasant, honeycomb, toffee, vanilla, and sherry flavor
It is rich in flavour, dense on the palate, creamy texture and exceedingly long finish! Worth every penny I paid!
The nose on this scotch is like sniffing a band aid with hints of sulfur. However, the palate is deep, rich, and viscous. It is good and I enjoy it, but Dalmore 12 is better in my opinion.
There are better values out there, but Macallan brings $100 quality at $60 a bottle. It is like drinking lightly smoked butterscotch, with a side of the best fruits wrapped up in a quality oak finish. The nose and taste linger with you long after the glass is empty. The 86 proof gives it a nice kick without being overbearing or causing a light hangover like the Glenmorangie line (which are still very good, but are lower quality alcohol). At $50 a bottle, it would be either the best or second best value in the market, so I don’t get that worked up over the extra $10 in price though MoM’s $81 + shipping is prohibitive. I have a soft spot for the Glenlivet line since my palate loves excellent champagne and pears (especially the 15 and 21, though the 12 is consistently underrated and is the best value overall), but Macallan is a close second as a brand. Every Macallan I’ve had provided the same remarkable consistency and character, with complexity and intensity increasing with the age. One whiff just screams Macallan when the cork pops and the amber settles, at least with the sherry oaks. I haven’t made it past the excellent 18 yet, but I definitely look forward to the day when I can give the 25 and 30 a go. Regardless, the 12 will always have a place on my shelf. In my experience, Macallan even wins over the curmudgeonly peat lovers through its complexity. Thankfully, Macallan doesn’t veer into that overly complex realm of burnt tires, salty fish, and cough medicine like the Islay peat bombs. Every once in a while, I enjoy a Lagavulin or a Laphroaig, but I wouldn’t even consider either as a regular dram. Macallan earns that nod with distinction. Cheers.
Really enjoyable, but for someone starting out drinking there are better sherry aged scotches at the price point. Saw it today at Cosco for 54.99 and thought I would revisit it. Same opinion as before. Especially if you are on a tight budget, the corporate name/branding/marketing etc really pump the price on this relative to other 12 yos.
