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Scotch Whisky Review: The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Cask

If you're new to sherry cask whiskies, The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Cask is a great place to start, though it can be a bit pricey.

OVERALL RATING

8
$80
  • Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant with over a decade of experience in whisky retail and online whisky education. Best known for hosting Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, he is dedicated to making whisky accessible and enjoyable by cutting through jargon and complexity.
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Tasting Notes

About:

An absolute classic in every sense. Whether it comes down to taste, design, age statement, cask type, reputation around the world – The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak has it all. Having first been bottled in the 1960s by a range of independent bottlers, and the coming into its own in 1984 when The Macallan began to bottle its own whiskies for the first time in the modern era. Since then, The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak has made a massive impact on the world of whisky and its consumers.
Appearance:
Orange
Nose:
One of the most classic examples of sherry matured whisky on the planet. Raisins, figs, dates and a little dark chocolate for both sweetness and sharp contrast. There are some note of vanilla, clove and orange oil, as well as some red vermouth notes of strawberry, rhubarb, milk chocolate, and some very subtle oak scents.
Palate:
A relatively oily liquid for whisky at 40% ABV. You have all of those classic sherry notes again of raisin, figs, chocolate, fruit cake and vanilla. As well as some sharpness from those red vermouth notes popping up again with rhubarb and slightly sour raspberry notes.

All of this wrapped up in some wonderful cocoa powder notes at the very back of the palate.
Finish:
More of this chocolate truffle/cocoa powder profile, again with some slightly tarter fruit notes appearing at the very end, as well as some Cognac-esque flavours.
Comments:
This is a bottle where you’d be quite happy if someone bought it for you. There is a lot of competition in the world of sherry cask whisky now, but The Macallan still sell an incredible amount of this stuff. I’ve ran through many bottles of this in my time and it still has an impact and unique flavor of its own.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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