Macallan Double Cask 12 Year

Review #039 Type: single malt scotch Strength: 43% Details: aged 12 years, American oak and European sherry-seasoned oak Consumed after: first pour Appearance (no rating): Chestnut color. Swirling leaves a thick streak on the glass, legs form slowly. Nose: 15/20 Woody oak, apricots, and brown sugar. Palate: 30/40 Mild and warm (almost hot). Honey sweetness and oak spice dominate, while nutty pecans and plums emerge with continued sipping. Finish: 33/40 Medium finish. More heat, lemon citrus, salt, and concluding with a sweet caramel note. With Water: A drop of water introduces orange zest and tart cherries on the palate, and medicinal iodine to the finish. Total: 78/100 Final thoughts: Some years ago, a relative bought me a bottle of this as a present. It was the first Scotch I truly enjoyed up to that point, so this bottle will always hold a special place in my memories. Nowadays, I believe there are superior bottles available for the price, so if I were to buy it again, it would primarily be for nostalgic reasons. Cost: $65 Would recommend: perhaps Would buy: perhaps Rating Scale: 96-100: The ultimate dram, absolutely outstanding, divine, I will cherish this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Nearly perfect, there's something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete package, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn't astound me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

What else can be said. It's the typical play for the masses from the distillery, too expensive yet still a pleasant spirit. You could spend your money better, but it's always a good idea to bring out a bottle from this brand for companions since most will recognize it as a fine drink. Of course, friends who are spirits aficionados might disagree. Wonderful aroma, with holiday fruitcake, mellow sherry, and some cinnamon spice, truly delightful, maybe a touch plain. Then to the taste, again absolutely wonderful but like all bottles from this brand at this proof, it doesn't quite match the aroma. Yes, I get everything from the aroma: fruits, sherry sweetness, a burst of spice, honey, a slight tobacco bite, but very little from the base spirit. It feels reduced to a 5 rather than cranked up to 11....... unfortunately. The finish is really pleasant, not extended but leaves you wanting more. So, in my opinion, there's nothing wrong with this; in fact, I truly enjoyed it and would be very pleased to have it again. But would I purchase another bottle? Probably not... It requires a higher proof if they intend to sell it at that price; you're paying for the name's prestige... there are far superior options available for the cost.

Macallan 12 Double Oak embodies elegance. Its deep amber hue and remarkable balance are noteworthy. I concur that the price is excessive for the value offered. I also agree that their brand recognition allows for mass production and a reduction in alcohol content. Nevertheless, its flavor profile is difficult to replicate. If we overlook the cost, here's why it's excellent: Nose: Raisin, prune, scent of a tobacco box Taste: Dried fruits, toasted oak, tobacco, toffee, with a nutty finish It's a superb dram! The flavor profile is precisely what I appreciate in whisky. It has wonderful sherry characteristics and truly delivers. Is it pricey? Yes, exceedingly so. Still a great dram! Cheers!

Scent: sweet fruits, sherry, a bit of chocolate, vanilla, toasted oak, a hint of orange citrus Taste: sweetness of dried fruits, mild roasted nuttiness, citrus and spice on the finish, as expected. Transitions to a cocoa note, tobacco, with an oaky conclusion. Overall, a fine drink that will definitely impress companions when you present it. The name perfectly describes it. However, those with more discerning palates will realize it doesn't quite measure up for the cost. Certainly belongs on a bar, but you can find equally good options for a bit less.

An elegant Single Malt Scotch from The Macallan Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. It is created using their traditional Single Malt aged completely for 12 years in both American Sherry and European Sherry casks. It begins aromatically with hints of grain, wood, fruit, herbs, and spices; while its maturation adds notes of ginger, dried cherries, vanilla, and caramel; culminating in a well-rounded, medium-length finish with notes of oak spice, orange marmalade, brittle toffee, honey, and warm cinnamon-raisin pastry. February 2024 / August 2025

Based solely on the flavor profile, I definitely detect the chocolate, and even some of the sweeter dried fruit notes. The oak presents more as a dry mouthfeel for me rather than intensely oaked, but it's pleasant nonetheless. Even though this isn't my typical preference, I'm actually warming up to this one.