The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Review & Tasting Notes

 

If you were a non-whisky enthusiast and I asked you to give me the name of a Scotch, you might suggest The Macallan. It is one of those legacy brands that have been around for what seems to be forever and is available everywhere and is the third best-selling single malt in the world.  

 

In 1823, the Scottish Excise Act legalized distilling in Scotland. Alexander Reid, a schoolteacher who also farmed barley, legally established The Macallan a year later, working with two pot stills in a woodshed. Like many other distillers, he was likely distilling long before that, but as an illicit operation. His company, Alexander Reid & Co., was distilled as a brand called The Craigellachie.

 

In 1892, The Macallan Distillery was purchased by Roderick Kemp, who renamed it R. Kemp Macallan-Glenlivit, and is responsible for the decree that The Macallan would only use Spanish sherry oak for maturation. Kemp’s family maintained ownership of the brand until the 1990s. Suntory and Highland Distillers, in a joint venture, purchased a majority stake in the distillery, becoming part of the same company as Famous Grouse.

 

A handful of years later, Edrington Group acquired Highland Distillers. Edrington immediately made The Macallan a staple of drinking establishments and expanded its product line. It also utilizes some of the smallest stills in all of Scotland.

 

This Highland distillery that pulls its water from the River Spey has been working hard at sustainability and limiting its impact on the world around it:

 

“For over 20 years our distillery operations have been accredited with ISO14001 Environmental Management certification, the most rigorous and globally recognised certification for environmental management. Through this independent assessment framework, we consider all environmental aspects and everything that we interact with, from water use to waste generation, energy consumption and land and habitat management. In 2020, The Macallan was also awarded the prestigious Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark, a leading sustainability accreditation for luxury demonstrating positive social and environmental actions and impacts.” – Edrington Group

 

Today I’m sipping on The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old. It starts like any other single malt: made from 100% malted barley. Maturation occurred in sherry-seasoned American and European oak barrels for at least a dozen years. It is naturally colored like all the whiskies The Macallan produces. Packaged at 43% ABV (86°), a 750ml bottle sells in the neighborhood for $69.00. I picked up a 50ml taster at a random liquor store for about $6.00.

 

Now, it is time to #DrinkCurious and learn what makes The Macallan so popular.  

• Whiskey Type: Single Malt Scotch
• Region: Highland
• Distiller: The Macallan
• Age: 12 years
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Cooperage: Sherry-seasoned American and European oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 43% ABV (86°)
• Price per 750mL: $68.99
• Naturally Colored

 

Appearance: Poured neat in my Glencairn glass, this whisky presented as rich caramel. A gentle swirl formed a medium rim which generated thick, sticky tears.

 

Nose: Sherry notes were unmistakable and included raisin, cherry, apricot, and orange zest, along with butterscotch and honey. I drew the air through my lips and encountered raw almonds.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was airy, bordering on slightly creamy. Caramel, vanilla, and honey flavors were on the front of my palate, while I tasted orange citrus, raisin, and brown sugar by mid-palate. The back featured oak tannins and ginger spice.  

 

Finish: Medium in duration, the finish consisted of ginger spice, oak, and raisin.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is almost a classic Speyside Scotch (Speyside was carved from the Highland region; distilleries in the Speyside region have the option to label themselves as either Speyside or Highland). It is fruity; there are no medicinal or Band-Aid qualities; it lacks any smoky or peaty notes and it is easy to sip. Yet, it is also a bit pricier than its notable competitors. Despite that last point, I still believe it earns my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.