The Macallan 12 Year Old is a long-standing expression in the luxury distillery’s core range, having first been bottled independently in the 1960s. Many years and numerous variations later, The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak continues to pique the interest of whisky drinkers and collectors.
So, whether you are a drinker, collector, or just curious about whisky, here is everything you need to know about the iconic Macallan 12 Year Old in this ultimate guide. Drinkers and collectors might also be interested in this Macallan 12 Year Old from the 1990s, available on The Whiskey Wash Shop for just $1,328.
What Is The Difference Between ‘Sherry Oak’, ‘Double Cask’, ‘Triple Cask’, and ‘Fine Oak’?
Firstly, we must differentiate between the different versions of The Macallan 12 Year Old. In this article, I will be focusing specifically on the Sherry Oak 12 Year Olds.
The Macallan is well-known for its sherry cask maturation, hence the Sherry Oaks are the longest-running series, and the core 12 Year Old expression.
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The 12 Year Old Double Cask expression was launched in 2016, and the range is still available today, complete with a 15 Year Old, an 18 Year Old, and a 30 Year Old expression. As the name suggests, the Double Cask expressions are matured in two different cask types: European and American sherry seasoned oak.
In 2018, The Macallan launched the Triple Cask range to replace the Fine Oak range, which had been running since 2004. These expressions were matured in European and American sherry-seasoned oak as well as American ex-bourbon casks. The Triple Cask range has since been discontinued, with the Sherry Oaks and Double Casks remaining in the brand’s core portfolio.
When Was The Macallan 12 Year Old First Produced?
The oldest official bottling of Macallan 12 Year Old single malt scotch (crucially, not whisky liqueur) that I can find was bottled by Marshall Taplow in the 1960s. Although the label categorizes the whisky as “pure unblended”, this term is no longer used. As it was bottled under license from The Macallan, according to the label, we can safely assume that the whisky inside is single malt scotch.
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The Macallan continued to outsource its bottlings throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, with the majority of bottling done by Campbell, Hope & King, and Gordon & Macphail. Then, in 1984, The Macallan began bottling its own whisky.
The bottling of The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oaks has continued over the decades, with multiple packaging changes and rebrands being implemented along the way. Today’s Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak is bottled in the distillery’s sleek and iconic tapered bottle, and housed in a textured black box.
How Is The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak Made?
The Macallan utilizes its famous sherry oak maturation program for the 12 Year Old. The spirit is distilled in the distillery’s “curiously small stills” before being aged in European oak casks that have been sherry seasoned in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
What Does The Whisky Taste Like?
The 12 Year Old is a rich and fruit-forward expression with hints of spice coming from the European oak. These tasting notes are from Macallan’s website:
“NOSE
Dried fruit, candied citrus peel and oak with notes of ginger and nutmeg.
“PALATE
Raisins and sultanas with ginger syrup, a touch of sweet cinnamon spice and a hint of vanilla.
“FINISH
Long with oak and warming ginger.”
How Collectible Is The Macallan 12 Year Old?
Given The Macallan’s standing in the market – it is arguably the pinnacle of luxury scotch whisky – it is not surprising that many customers now choose to collect rather than drink the 12 Year Old.
However, it is the older bottlings from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s that have become the most collectible. Bottled at such a time when whisky was purely for drinking, and not for collecting or investing, many such bottles have been opened and drunk, making them something of a rarity.
As such, older bottlings of the 12 Year Old command premiums both at auction and at retail.
With that being said, there are still many Macallan fans who purchase the whisky to drink. After all, the distillery did not get where it is today without its swathe of loyal fans.
So, are you a drinker of the Macallan 12 or a collector? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
How Much Does The Macallan 12 Year Old Cost?
The Macallan 12 Year Old is available internationally.
The current lowest price for The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak is $67.99 (for the newest expression).
If you are a drinker or a collector interested in sampling an older Macallan 12 Year Old, browse The Whiskey Wash Shop and purchase a Macallan 12 Year Old bottled in the 1990s here for just $1,328. Browse the whole Macallan collection here.
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