I haven't bought a new Macallan for years now. I have some older ones stashed away but the latest ones are just too light for my current palate. I prefer the Glengoyne and Ancnoc 12 over this. For a 12 year old Sherry matured whiskies, I will always gravitate towards the Bunna 12, Tamdhu 12 and the Edradour 12. In my opinion Macallan 12 double cask costs about 70$ here and for that price there are far better options. Is it a bad whisky? No. It is a good whisky for beginners and for those who crave the consistent Macallan profile. A drink that will not furrow any brows or incite any emotions that would make me remember that particular dram. Your review is spot on, even though you definitely prefer it much more than I do. In my opinion, Macallan continues to be revered because of its early reputation and to the psychological disposition of many that something expensive must be good. In today's era of craft whisky presentations where new distilleries are consistently making inroads into the market, Malt Disney should take more notice and respect the average whisky drinker more than just ride on their reputation.
Yeah I do seem to like Macallan more than a lot of people. To me it's not simply a generic taste. I do find a certain magic to the distillate that elevates it over most “beginner” whiskies. Sanitized, weak, and uninspired? Admittedly, yes. Still, it's a brand I find myself coming back to once in a blue moon because I enjoy that house style. Of course they are milking their reputation, and most of their NAS whiskies are very poor value. I stick to the most affordable offerings from their age stated range, and even those sting for value.
The 12 year double cask is bottled at 43% in the US. Though at the price it sells for ($70), should be at least 46%. The traditional 12 year goes for $80 here (Chicago area).
Great vid: very well put. Scotch have changed, even Macallan was 100% sherry in the 80s and 90's. The GOLDEN PROMISE barley is only used by a few: Mac and Glengoyne ... this make a different. (( BTW, NOBODY is gonna knock oo7's Bond single malt, OK ? )) LOL
Good point. I quite like the Glengoyne 12, you can expect a review of that soon. I was too young to enjoy whisky in the 90's, but I've heard great things about these older Macallans. Shudder to think how much one goes for now...
Thank you for the informative review. I watched your video as I tasted my first of bottle of this for I am trying to explore new drinks and expand my preferences.
My Macallan 12 sherry oak is quite pleasant. Tastes higher than 40% but not by much. At 46% it would taste so much better and would not need to be chillfiltered so that’s disappointing. If it was half the price they charge I would always have one. But it’s not and once my bottle is finished it’s probably gonna be my last Macallan… until some ridiculous sale pops up. It is good, just so many better options if I’m paying what they charge for. Cheers.
“Especially outside” :On point Geoff. Good review. Their house style is good, no doubt. Are they the best single malt out there? Are they even the best ( currently) sherried malt out there? No, and No. so why are they the most overpriced scotch on the market? The $100 bottles that overnight become $1000 bottles? Silly. The 12, is priced ok. $60. The rest ... not even close. That being said, anyone who’s had a good macallan will know what you mean when you say it’s a good one. Just don’t overpay. Cheers.
Absolutely. The 12 is cheap where you are comparatively. Where I live it's substantially higher than 90% of other entry level standard releases. And then at 40%. At least in the states you guys get this stuff at 43%, I believe.
@@Gwhisky yeah, it’s 43% and between $55-60. However, the big box stores here are starting to list it at $73.99. So maybe when the local specialty shops run out, that could be the new price? Doesn’t matter. I don’t buy macallan anymore. 🤣
Well I know how frustrating whisky pricing and availability is where you are, but at least for Mac 12 you pay less and get more abv than most markets do. Count that as a win!
@@Gwhisky I won’t lie . The 12 is the last reasonably priced version left. I’d buy it eventually at that price. However it’s been at least 2 years since my last purchase. It was never my quintessential sherry. I was spoiled by the old 15 revivals and the 18. Those to me are my top examples of hardcore sherry and elegant sherry respectively. Now that those specific ones have moved on so to speak, I rely on Tamdhu 15 , Bunnahabhain 12, and a variety of cask strength sherried ones. Oh and Glenfarclas 12 is decent as well. Plus I still have a handfull of the old discontinued ones.
@@SaltyCuban Was never a big fan of Glenfarclas 12. But yeah, gone are the days when Glendronach was accessible and affordable. I stashed away a few 18s last year before the price got too ridiculous. Considering that they're now $20 USD more expensive than before and chill filtered, I'd say it was worth it. Where I live Tamdhu 15 is the same price as Mac 15. Bunna is cheap here, and an unbeatable quality/price ratio for a sherried 12. Bunna 12 is my gold standard for entry level. Yeah Macallan is not a value buy anywhere you look I guess. But you do have it cheaper and with a higher abv where you live. You might never buy it, but you, my friend, need a win. Guess I was trying to make you feel better. 😂
I've poured out two single malt whiskies in the sink in my life Jura the paps 19 YO (Duty free disaster) Macallan 12 double cask, admittedly, the last half of it. (could not stomach it any more, it does have some kind of sulfur hit that I really dislike) The best Macallan I have ever had, was the Travel range WB88026 "1930s Propeller Plane". It even beat the €260 18 year old triple cask. Haven't bought Macallan for a good while and I am not planning to buy any in the future either.
I've never tried the 18 Double Cask, and only sampled the 18 Sherry Cask ages ago. I enjoyed it, but could never be convinced to buy it at that price. As for the 12, I like it MUCH more than you, it seems. I don't get any sulfur from my bottle. It's possible that there are batch variations, although that would be surprising to see from Macallan. Just looked up the Propeller Plane release. Unsurprisingly the abv is low, but the reviews are fantastic. Looks like a good one!
@@Gwhisky Yes, it was a good one (was empty pretty quickly too, which is a good sign here) :) I don't know, the 12 double-cask has been reported to have a little bit of a sulfur variant, inherently "Macallan" style, which, I am not sure. For me, it is not burned rubber etc on the tongue or a foul smell, but, more like a lasting after-taste, coming up after the finish, as you would get if you eat something with a lot of garlic. It is not the same as garlic however, but, similar experience og intensity and how long it lasts (if you drink more than a couple of 2-4 cl over a whole evening). For me, that made me avoid it and the bottle just sat there, and sat there, and sat there and in the end I just poured it out, knowing that I would drink everything else than this anyway. :) Apart from that, I feel the 12 DC is pretty thin indeed, somewhere between average and below average, but my experience with the added strange after taste, pulled it well under average here. (I have so many other 12-year old whiskies that are just better, like Glenallachie, Glendronach, Kilkerran, Glenlivet Illicit still and more, so it just sat there, taking up space). I would put the Mac 18 triple cask below the Glenfarclas 25 (much better than the 21), but the Mac 18 TC cost 25% more than the Glenfarclas 25 here, making it, probably, the worst money/performance whisky in the house. And It has been sitting there just below the shoulder-mark for about 2 years now, becase, when you compare it to both younger and older whiskes from other places, it just looses out in taste and experience, although it does not have the strange after-sulfurish taste as the 12. Every glass I pour is also always followed by the thought "Goddamn, and I really dished out €260 for this). :D (we have strict laws here, so samples are difficult and cumbersome to get)
I was recently holidaying in a fairly remote location, and this whisky was the only reasonable whisky on the shelf. I did enjoy it, but was also disappointed that it could have been so much better at higher proof. I would never buy it again at its current price, where I had a better choice range. There are just so many whiskeys at a much cheaper price point and have more integrity.
@@Gwhisky I also meant to say, just how much I enjoy your reviews. You’ve become my “ go to” opinion. Have ordered the Ardnamurchan and kilchoman Loch Gorm based on your review.
the macallan single cask’s price in China is crazy. An extreme example. 12yo in one retailer jumped from 90usd to 250usd within 3 months (average price of 12yo nowadays is 120usd) . However after all ,once you notice the flavors left by the finest cask, you’ll say its worth that price.
That’s insane . Buy it if you must at that price , but you’re better off buying better bottles in auction. Only if I couldn’t buy online or sites couldn’t ship to me. I mean, if you’ve got money to burn, you’d be happy paying that for a tasty hot dog. Either way, enjoy, it’s all that matters.
@@Gwhisky 120 is too much indeed.the question is it will be 140-150 next year. It’s like yamazaki (yamazaki 12yo now is 300usd).I mean if you really want to try macallan single cask series.ASAP
It would be great to watch you review the 43% US version! It sounds like you really like this one and that it's central flaw is the weakness at 40%. So it would be great to see how you like it at 43%. I'm sure you can get a bottle shipped to you. Or grab one (or try it at a bar) on your next trip stateside. It looks like your scores for entry level sherried whiskys are: 83 for Glendronach 12, 85 for Macallan Double Cask at 40%, 87 for Glenallachie 12, and 89 for Tamdhu 12. So I'm curious to see what you'll think of the Macallan at 43%. I'd love to see how much (if at all) the score would improve vs the Macallan 12 at 40%. One other question. It sounds like you're saying that the Macallan 12 and the Tamdhu 12 are in one category (with some subtlety), while the Glendronach 12 and the Glenallachie 12 are in a different category (a bit more sherry-bombish). Could you elaborate a bit on that? I'd love to hear more. I'm trying to figure out how the Macallan 12 and the Glendronach 12 differ. They are clearly a little different from one another, but I'm struggling to understand or describe exactly how they differ.
I have no doubt I'll like the Mac releases more at 43%. That goes for most whiskies that are 40% internationally and 43% in the states. Despite the low abv, Macallan has a fantastic house style, and their whiskies always score well with me despite the abvs. I don't love the weak abv and the prices, but I love the flavours. Glendronach and Glenallachie are much sweeter and they have a much more dramatic cask influence. So much so that I think the whiskies suffer from it, as they mask the distillate underneath. The style of whisky I tend to prefer are ones where the casks don't overwhelm the distillate and dominate the experience. Hope that helps! 🥃
I agree it would be a great whisky at 46 ABV without non chill filtration. Unfortunately, it is way too light for my taste, especially at this price (80 USD where I live). I will never buy it again. Surprisingly, I liked a lot the discontinued Macallan Amber which had more complex and intense flavors IMO, even if it was also at 40 ABV.
I agree with everything you said here. It's a really delicious whiskey that just doesn't deliver everything it actually has to offer. I'll never buy a bottle of this stuff, but I'll gladly have a dram of it at a bar here and there. That's how I feel about Macallan. And Dalmore as well, on that note.
How could a sniff and a sip of whiskey bring up so many flavor profiles? That's just plain weird. Seriously, what the hell is sandalwood? I want my whiskey to taste like whiskey... not bringing up flavor profiles like a wine snob might. Sorry.
I got mine in Taiwan. You guys are lucky in the States. Releases like HP12, Mac 12, even stuff like Glenlivet 18 all come in at 43%. There are a few other select markets where that applies. Unfortunately most of the world (UK, most of Europe, and most of Asia) gets the 40% versions.
@@Gwhisky It’s a damn shame. I guess within the last decade or so American whisky has also moved towards watering down in the name of profit. Jack Daniels as long as I could remember was 43 and now it’s 40
Is this a value buy? Absolutely not :) If one is buying Macallan to actually drink what's in the bottle, no Macallan is a value buy. Even buying their "entry level" expressions, the 12 yo, you are already well into "diminishing returns" territory. If one is buying limited releases and/or old Macallan as a collector or investor then we might talk value. Where I live Macallan 12 goes for roughly 55 euro which is plain absurd for a 40% single malt. Yes, the whisky is OK, spotless quality, although some may call that "sanitized". But then so are Arran, Glenallachie, Glendronach and they are much cheaper, better presented and intrigiung. Even Highland Park 12, which may be called sister distillery to Macallan, costs significantly less with similar presentation: 40%, chill-filtered and no coloring added. Macallan 12 is 40 euro whisky at best. Every penny over that price is a ripoff. Having said all that I prefer to leave Macallan to those "outside" and spend my money on brands less known "outside" :) I even let them believe that they're actually buying the "Rolls Royce of whisky" therefore they stay away from the brands I like :) Cheers
Very true. Macallan as a sipper is horrible value. As an investment? Best whisky investment you could make. The 12 is truly delicious. Sanitized? Maybe, but the house style still impresses me. It's a fine whisky... but they are asking a bit too much. The 12 and the 15 double cask are “ok” value at best. Macallan 18s are ridiculously priced. Certainly HP expressions are better value.
@@Gwhisky Well, IMHO you are being too diplomatic here. Neither 12 nor 15 are near OK value. Macallan house style is nice, their spirit it clean and fine, their cask management is competent. There is no doubt about any of those. But none of those can justify the prices. Macallan 15 costs more than twice than Glenfarclas 15. Whether it is better whisky is purely up to personal taste. Being presented weaker than Glenfarclas 15 is absolute and objective matter of fact though. Macallan 15 price was already higher than the price of any of the bottles of Glendronach 18 I have bought. Macallan is nowhere near to the "unicorn" whisky markering and fanboys try to make it. It is just another scotch single malt. Not worse but certainly not better than Aberlour, Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Glenfarclas and many more sherried malts. What it certainly is though is blatantly overpriced and poorly presented. At least the core range.
@@Nikolay_Nikolov Different tastes, etc. I would place this well over Aberlour 12 and even Glengoyne 12 in terms of quality of flavour. Also, there are other 15s like Tamdhu for example that are priced similarly to Macallan 15 where I live. It's a high price to be sure, and you're right, it's subjective. But I'd pay more for these expressions than Glenfarclas 15 personally. That being said, I don't buy them often. It might have something to do with variety. I sometimes just WANT a Tamdhu or a Lagavulin or a Redbreast because it's been a while and I want to experience those flavours again. Sometimes I just WANT a Macallan. Then I buy it. Then I get mad coz I paid too much. 😂
I haven't bought a new Macallan for years now. I have some older ones stashed away but the latest ones are just too light for my current palate. I prefer the Glengoyne and Ancnoc 12 over this. For a 12 year old Sherry matured whiskies, I will always gravitate towards the Bunna 12, Tamdhu 12 and the Edradour 12. In my opinion Macallan 12 double cask costs about 70$ here and for that price there are far better options.
Is it a bad whisky? No. It is a good whisky for beginners and for those who crave the consistent Macallan profile. A drink that will not furrow any brows or incite any emotions that would make me remember that particular dram. Your review is spot on, even though you definitely prefer it much more than I do.
In my opinion, Macallan continues to be revered because of its early reputation and to the psychological disposition of many that something expensive must be good. In today's era of craft whisky presentations where new distilleries are consistently making inroads into the market, Malt Disney should take more notice and respect the average whisky drinker more than just ride on their reputation.
Yeah I do seem to like Macallan more than a lot of people. To me it's not simply a generic taste. I do find a certain magic to the distillate that elevates it over most “beginner” whiskies. Sanitized, weak, and uninspired? Admittedly, yes. Still, it's a brand I find myself coming back to once in a blue moon because I enjoy that house style.
Of course they are milking their reputation, and most of their NAS whiskies are very poor value. I stick to the most affordable offerings from their age stated range, and even those sting for value.
The 12 year double cask is bottled at 43% in the US. Though at the price it sells for ($70), should be at least 46%. The traditional 12 year goes for $80 here (Chicago area).
You guys are lucky. A lot of the rest of the world gets 40% on quite a number of releases that get the 43% treatment in the US.
Great vid: very well put. Scotch have changed, even Macallan was 100% sherry in the 80s and 90's. The GOLDEN PROMISE barley is only used by a few: Mac and Glengoyne ... this make a different. (( BTW, NOBODY is gonna knock oo7's Bond single malt, OK ? )) LOL
I'd rather have the Glengoyne. I can almost get two Glengoyne 12s for the price of of a traditional MacCallan 12.
Good point. I quite like the Glengoyne 12, you can expect a review of that soon. I was too young to enjoy whisky in the 90's, but I've heard great things about these older Macallans. Shudder to think how much one goes for now...
Thank you for the informative review. I watched your video as I tasted my first of bottle of this for I am trying to explore new drinks and expand my preferences.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching and enjoy your exploring! 😊
My Macallan 12 sherry oak is quite pleasant. Tastes higher than 40% but not by much. At 46% it would taste so much better and would not need to be chillfiltered so that’s disappointing. If it was half the price they charge I would always have one. But it’s not and once my bottle is finished it’s probably gonna be my last Macallan… until some ridiculous sale pops up. It is good, just so many better options if I’m paying what they charge for. Cheers.
As of early May 2024, at Virginia state stores, a bottle of Macallan 12 Sherry cask costs $99.99.
A bottle of Glendronach 12 costs about $75.
“Especially outside” :On point Geoff. Good review. Their house style is good, no doubt.
Are they the best single malt out there? Are they even the best ( currently) sherried malt out there? No, and No. so why are they the most overpriced scotch on the market? The $100 bottles that overnight become $1000 bottles? Silly. The 12, is priced ok. $60. The rest ... not even close.
That being said, anyone who’s had a good macallan will know what you mean when you say it’s a good one. Just don’t overpay. Cheers.
Absolutely. The 12 is cheap where you are comparatively. Where I live it's substantially higher than 90% of other entry level standard releases. And then at 40%. At least in the states you guys get this stuff at 43%, I believe.
@@Gwhisky yeah, it’s 43% and between $55-60.
However, the big box stores here are starting to list it at $73.99. So maybe when the local specialty shops run out, that could be the new price? Doesn’t matter. I don’t buy macallan anymore. 🤣
Well I know how frustrating whisky pricing and availability is where you are, but at least for Mac 12 you pay less and get more abv than most markets do. Count that as a win!
@@Gwhisky I won’t lie . The 12 is the last reasonably priced version left. I’d buy it eventually at that price. However it’s been at least 2 years since my last purchase. It was never my quintessential sherry. I was spoiled by the old 15 revivals and the 18. Those to me are my top examples of hardcore sherry and elegant sherry respectively. Now that those specific ones have moved on so to speak, I rely on Tamdhu 15 , Bunnahabhain 12, and a variety of cask strength sherried ones. Oh and Glenfarclas 12 is decent as well. Plus I still have a handfull of the old discontinued ones.
@@SaltyCuban Was never a big fan of Glenfarclas 12. But yeah, gone are the days when Glendronach was accessible and affordable. I stashed away a few 18s last year before the price got too ridiculous. Considering that they're now $20 USD more expensive than before and chill filtered, I'd say it was worth it.
Where I live Tamdhu 15 is the same price as Mac 15. Bunna is cheap here, and an unbeatable quality/price ratio for a sherried 12. Bunna 12 is my gold standard for entry level.
Yeah Macallan is not a value buy anywhere you look I guess. But you do have it cheaper and with a higher abv where you live. You might never buy it, but you, my friend, need a win. Guess I was trying to make you feel better. 😂
The Macallan 12 Year Double I bought here in Oregon is 43% ABV and cost $79.
I've poured out two single malt whiskies in the sink in my life
Jura the paps 19 YO (Duty free disaster)
Macallan 12 double cask, admittedly, the last half of it. (could not stomach it any more, it does have some kind of sulfur hit that I really dislike)
The best Macallan I have ever had, was the Travel range WB88026 "1930s Propeller Plane".
It even beat the €260 18 year old triple cask.
Haven't bought Macallan for a good while and I am not planning to buy any in the future either.
I've never tried the 18 Double Cask, and only sampled the 18 Sherry Cask ages ago. I enjoyed it, but could never be convinced to buy it at that price. As for the 12, I like it MUCH more than you, it seems. I don't get any sulfur from my bottle. It's possible that there are batch variations, although that would be surprising to see from Macallan.
Just looked up the Propeller Plane release. Unsurprisingly the abv is low, but the reviews are fantastic. Looks like a good one!
@@Gwhisky Yes, it was a good one (was empty pretty quickly too, which is a good sign here) :)
I don't know, the 12 double-cask has been reported to have a little bit of a sulfur variant, inherently "Macallan" style, which, I am not sure.
For me, it is not burned rubber etc on the tongue or a foul smell, but, more like a lasting after-taste, coming up after the finish, as you would get if you eat something with a lot of garlic.
It is not the same as garlic however, but, similar experience og intensity and how long it lasts (if you drink more than a couple of 2-4 cl over a whole evening).
For me, that made me avoid it and the bottle just sat there, and sat there, and sat there and in the end I just poured it out, knowing that I would drink everything else than this anyway. :)
Apart from that, I feel the 12 DC is pretty thin indeed, somewhere between average and below average, but my experience with the added strange after taste, pulled it well under average here. (I have so many other 12-year old whiskies that are just better, like Glenallachie, Glendronach, Kilkerran, Glenlivet Illicit still and more, so it just sat there, taking up space).
I would put the Mac 18 triple cask below the Glenfarclas 25 (much better than the 21), but the Mac 18 TC cost 25% more than the Glenfarclas 25 here, making it, probably, the worst money/performance whisky in the house.
And It has been sitting there just below the shoulder-mark for about 2 years now, becase, when you compare it to both younger and older whiskes from other places, it just looses out in taste and experience, although it does not have the strange after-sulfurish taste as the 12.
Every glass I pour is also always followed by the thought "Goddamn, and I really dished out €260 for this). :D
(we have strict laws here, so samples are difficult and cumbersome to get)
Love Macallan Sherry!
I was recently holidaying in a fairly remote location, and this whisky was the only reasonable whisky on the shelf.
I did enjoy it, but was also disappointed that it could have been so much better at higher proof. I would never buy it again at its current price, where I had a better choice range. There are just so many whiskeys at a much cheaper price point and have more integrity.
I feel precisely the same way!
@@Gwhisky I also meant to say, just how much I enjoy your reviews. You’ve become my “ go to” opinion. Have ordered the Ardnamurchan and kilchoman Loch Gorm based on your review.
@@howardbecdove9780 Very flattered and honoured. Pressure's on, though. Really hope you enjoy them! 🥃
the macallan single cask’s price in China is crazy. An extreme example. 12yo in one retailer jumped from 90usd to 250usd within 3 months (average price of 12yo nowadays is 120usd) . However after all ,once you notice the flavors left by the finest cask, you’ll say its worth that price.
I used to live in Shanghai. There were a few deals on whisky there but Macallans in particular were expensive, yes. 120 USD for this is too much!
That’s insane . Buy it if you must at that price , but you’re better off buying better bottles in auction. Only if I couldn’t buy online or sites couldn’t ship to me.
I mean, if you’ve got money to burn, you’d be happy paying that for a tasty hot dog.
Either way, enjoy, it’s all that matters.
@@Gwhisky 120 is too much indeed.the question is it will be 140-150 next year. It’s like yamazaki (yamazaki 12yo now is 300usd).I mean if you really want to try macallan single cask series.ASAP
@@user-qr7no3cd2h Lol don't get me started on Japanese whiskies. I remember 10 years ago buying Yamazaki 18 for just about USD 130!
@@Gwhisky and now yamazaki 18 in Singapore if abt S$2,500 to S$2,800.
It would be great to watch you review the 43% US version! It sounds like you really like this one and that it's central flaw is the weakness at 40%. So it would be great to see how you like it at 43%. I'm sure you can get a bottle shipped to you. Or grab one (or try it at a bar) on your next trip stateside.
It looks like your scores for entry level sherried whiskys are: 83 for Glendronach 12, 85 for Macallan Double Cask at 40%, 87 for Glenallachie 12, and 89 for Tamdhu 12.
So I'm curious to see what you'll think of the Macallan at 43%. I'd love to see how much (if at all) the score would improve vs the Macallan 12 at 40%.
One other question. It sounds like you're saying that the Macallan 12 and the Tamdhu 12 are in one category (with some subtlety), while the Glendronach 12 and the Glenallachie 12 are in a different category (a bit more sherry-bombish). Could you elaborate a bit on that? I'd love to hear more. I'm trying to figure out how the Macallan 12 and the Glendronach 12 differ. They are clearly a little different from one another, but I'm struggling to understand or describe exactly how they differ.
I have no doubt I'll like the Mac releases more at 43%. That goes for most whiskies that are 40% internationally and 43% in the states. Despite the low abv, Macallan has a fantastic house style, and their whiskies always score well with me despite the abvs. I don't love the weak abv and the prices, but I love the flavours.
Glendronach and Glenallachie are much sweeter and they have a much more dramatic cask influence. So much so that I think the whiskies suffer from it, as they mask the distillate underneath. The style of whisky I tend to prefer are ones where the casks don't overwhelm the distillate and dominate the experience. Hope that helps! 🥃
Neal pearts favorite Scotch R.IP my friend
Thinking of buying this bottle at my local military store since it’s at a reasonable price w/o taxes, so $48, plus I’ve never had a macallan
I like it, obviously. It's elegant and subtle. Just don't expect a big punch of flavour. The price seems fair! 🥃
I don't think you got one part wrong lol agreed with everything
If you’re looking for a Mac with higher ABV try to buy the classic cut. I have the 2019 release at over 52% ABV
Unfortunately that one's pretty hard to find here. I'd love to get my hands on it, though!
Well said! Paying extra for the brand (and the bottle!^^)
I agree it would be a great whisky at 46 ABV without non chill filtration. Unfortunately, it is way too light for my taste, especially at this price (80 USD where I live). I will never buy it again. Surprisingly, I liked a lot the discontinued Macallan Amber which had more complex and intense flavors IMO, even if it was also at 40 ABV.
It's a shame because as far as I'm concerned the flavours are there. Just not the depth or presence that comes with a respectable abv.
Macallan Quest is much cheaper. At least here in Brazil. Cheers!
Macallan Gold is cheaper where I live.
I agree with everything you said here. It's a really delicious whiskey that just doesn't deliver everything it actually has to offer. I'll never buy a bottle of this stuff, but I'll gladly have a dram of it at a bar here and there. That's how I feel about Macallan. And Dalmore as well, on that note.
Understandable! 🥃
Have you tried the Glenturret 12 Maiden Release? That is meant to bear some similarities to Macallans from days gone by.
Those ones hasn't made its way to Taiwan yet, but I'll grab one when they do. “Old school Macallan” sounds awesome!
Quite nice dram but it's a pitty with the low abv....
A shame indeed.
whats the issue with 40%?
Which is better, this or the Sherry oak? The DC seems cheaper than the Sherry one.
The Sherry Oak is better, but it's much more expensive, unfortunately. 🥃
i came here to see review cause it is on sale by me for 50$
Macallan 12 doble oak or balvenie 12 doblewood.
Saludos desde México.
Macallan Double Oak! Saludos from Taiwan! 🥃
How many grams is recommended to drink it in the evening?
Lol that sounds like a question for your doctor! 🥃
@@Gwhisky 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@Gwhisky Better not to drink at all
Why? Macallan. Admit it. haha You always seem to give credit where credit is due. Makes the channel that much more respectable. Carry on.
Hah thanks buddy! 🥃
Mine is bottled at 43%.
You guys are lucky in the states. A lot of bottles that are standardized at 40% for the rest of the world come in at 43% for you.
Dude named almost every fruit on earth. 😂
How could a sniff and a sip of whiskey bring up so many flavor profiles? That's just plain weird. Seriously, what the hell is sandalwood? I want my whiskey to taste like whiskey... not bringing up flavor profiles like a wine snob might. Sorry.
I have a terrible sense of smell so when people claim these things I usually just disregard it entirely.
Which country is your bottle from ? Mine was purchased in usa and is 43% abv
I got mine in Taiwan. You guys are lucky in the States. Releases like HP12, Mac 12, even stuff like Glenlivet 18 all come in at 43%. There are a few other select markets where that applies. Unfortunately most of the world (UK, most of Europe, and most of Asia) gets the 40% versions.
@@Gwhisky It’s a damn shame. I guess within the last decade or so American whisky has also moved towards watering down in the name of profit. Jack Daniels as long as I could remember was 43 and now it’s 40
Why is this so expensive even this double cask the lower of the bunch is expensive lool
Just bought a bottle here in Memphis, TN for $84. It’s okay though.
Bang on review but once again you are being a little too diplomatic. 40% just isn't serious single malt whisky. You've said so yourself. Cheers bud.
4:12, I think your drink is fake because there are Chinese characters on the label. Why would a real one have those?
Lol yeah must be. 😂
Is this a value buy? Absolutely not :)
If one is buying Macallan to actually drink what's in the bottle, no Macallan is a value buy. Even buying their "entry level" expressions, the 12 yo, you are already well into "diminishing returns" territory.
If one is buying limited releases and/or old Macallan as a collector or investor then we might talk value.
Where I live Macallan 12 goes for roughly 55 euro which is plain absurd for a 40% single malt. Yes, the whisky is OK, spotless quality, although some may call that "sanitized". But then so are Arran, Glenallachie, Glendronach and they are much cheaper, better presented and intrigiung. Even Highland Park 12, which may be called sister distillery to Macallan, costs significantly less with similar presentation: 40%, chill-filtered and no coloring added.
Macallan 12 is 40 euro whisky at best. Every penny over that price is a ripoff.
Having said all that I prefer to leave Macallan to those "outside" and spend my money on brands less known "outside" :) I even let them believe that they're actually buying the "Rolls Royce of whisky" therefore they stay away from the brands I like :)
Cheers
Very true. Macallan as a sipper is horrible value. As an investment? Best whisky investment you could make.
The 12 is truly delicious. Sanitized? Maybe, but the house style still impresses me. It's a fine whisky... but they are asking a bit too much. The 12 and the 15 double cask are “ok” value at best. Macallan 18s are ridiculously priced. Certainly HP expressions are better value.
@@Gwhisky Well, IMHO you are being too diplomatic here. Neither 12 nor 15 are near OK value. Macallan house style is nice, their spirit it clean and fine, their cask management is competent. There is no doubt about any of those. But none of those can justify the prices. Macallan 15 costs more than twice than Glenfarclas 15. Whether it is better whisky is purely up to personal taste. Being presented weaker than Glenfarclas 15 is absolute and objective matter of fact though. Macallan 15 price was already higher than the price of any of the bottles of Glendronach 18 I have bought. Macallan is nowhere near to the "unicorn" whisky markering and fanboys try to make it. It is just another scotch single malt. Not worse but certainly not better than Aberlour, Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Glenfarclas and many more sherried malts. What it certainly is though is blatantly overpriced and poorly presented. At least the core range.
@@Nikolay_Nikolov Different tastes, etc. I would place this well over Aberlour 12 and even Glengoyne 12 in terms of quality of flavour. Also, there are other 15s like Tamdhu for example that are priced similarly to Macallan 15 where I live. It's a high price to be sure, and you're right, it's subjective. But I'd pay more for these expressions than Glenfarclas 15 personally. That being said, I don't buy them often.
It might have something to do with variety. I sometimes just WANT a Tamdhu or a Lagavulin or a Redbreast because it's been a while and I want to experience those flavours again. Sometimes I just WANT a Macallan. Then I buy it. Then I get mad coz I paid too much. 😂
wish you could've incorporated some B-roll, not just talking and talking, showing your face endlessly.
Rude
nah, constructive criticism. the video could truly benefit from B-roll. @@Gwhisky
Another repeat “Macallan is not so good” video. Boring!
Another sassy commenter thinking my opinions should match his. Boring!