Macallan 12 Year Triple Cask Matured

Appearance - amber color, high viscosity Nose - sweet (honey, vanilla), fruity (tangerines, baked apples, pears), cereal (barley malt), damp oak Palate - lightly spicy oak, cereal upfront (unexpected given the nose), medium body, rich, oily, sweet (vanilla, honey, chocolate malt), fruity (baked apples, pears, plums), cereal, walnuts, oak Finish - brief, with a sweet-oaky-cereal aftertaste Comparison - I like the Double Oak and Sherry Oak better than this one. Strange how the nose differs from the palate (or maybe it's just me). Good for everyday drinking.

This 12-year Triple Cask has the signature Macallan profile with malty figs, orange zest, and spice, but a touch of bitterness emerges on the palate/finish. I suspect it's due to excessive cask manipulation. It's lighter and less robust/rich than the other 12-year offerings. It's still enjoyable because it's Macallan, but I would absolutely not buy it again. The Double Cask 12 and especially the Sherry 12 are superior choices...79/100...I'm somewhat let down by this one.

Nose: Intense vanilla, sweet fruit, floral notes, touches of butterscotch, and a pleasant white wine character. Palate: Sweet fruit dominates, with some honey present. Vanilla recedes slightly but remains. The wine notes return, possibly with some apricot, creating a very appealing profile. Finish: The wine flavor takes the lead, accompanied by a hint of spice and a mild burn that fades into a dark fruit melody, lingering for a while.

The barrels' power and intensity were beyond my expectations; I wanted to fall for it instantly, and I must get a bottle, not merely a single serving. It's a cocktail of sweet vanilla, ripe dark grapes, bright oak, and creamy 12-year-old character. The finish is very long, making it challenging to enjoy beef tongue afterward.

A sweet scent greets you immediately. Anise appears within a vanilla-forward taste that also shows subtle complexity. In fact, the triple oak becomes more noticeable in the flavor. A slightly oily texture. Very satisfying. Adding a few drops of water opens up the palate, revealing a sugary undertone. The finish is smooth, making it effortless to drink.

Unlike other opinions, I don't find this particularly smooth or sweet. The aroma has a sharpness that carries through to the taste. While there are notes of raisin and light smoke, it's a long way from the almost syrupy sweet, spiced single malts that are wonderful on a cold evening.