The Macallan 12 Double Cask is the whisky with the reputation, and my The Macallan 12 Double Cask review has to be fair about it. It’s soft, sweet and sherried, and the price is for the name.
The Macallan 12 Double Cask: what you are buying
The Macallan Distillery is in Speyside, and it’s owned by Edrington, who also own Highland Park. The 12 Double Cask is bottled at 40%, matured in sherry-seasoned American oak and European oak casks, a mix the brand likes to talk about a lot. The marketing is excellent, and the whisky is good.
The Macallan is one of the most expensive and best-known single malts.
The Macallan 12 Double Cask tasting notes
Honey, vanilla and ginger on the nose, with some dried fruit, a hint of citrus and a little cinnamon. It’s sweet and warm.
On the palate it’s smooth and rich, with honey, vanilla, ginger, dried fruit and a gentle spice. The finish is medium and soft, with some oak. It’s a lovely dram, and very easy to like.
The best way to drink The Macallan 12 Double Cask
Neat, with a few drops of water. It’s a nice one for a quiet evening, and it works well after dinner. I’d skip the ice.
How much is The Macallan 12 Double Cask, and is it worth it?
About £76 for 70 cl. That’s a lot for a 12-year-old at 40%, and you’re paying a lot for the name. It’s good, but Glenfarclas 12 and GlenDronach 12 cost much less and taste just as sherried. For today’s The Macallan 12 Double Cask price, the retailer link on this page is the quickest check, and it’s worth comparing a couple of shops.
Alternatives to The Macallan 12 Double Cask
Glenfarclas 12 is the better-value sherried malt, GlenDronach 12 is richer, and Balvenie 12 DoubleWood is a similar-quality rival.
Who should buy The Macallan 12 Double Cask?
People who want a recognisable, easy, sherried malt, and anyone buying a gift where the label matters.
Verdict: should you buy The Macallan 12 Double Cask?
A soft, sweet, sherried Speyside malt that’s good but overpriced. You’re paying for the name. Caskable score: 78 out of 100.
Honey, vanilla and ginger, with dried fruit, citrus and cinnamon.
Smooth and rich, with honey, vanilla, ginger, dried fruit and gentle spice.
Medium and soft, with some oak.
A soft, sweet, sherried Speyside malt that is good but overpriced.
Thomas Grønvold is the founder of Caskable and a whisky enthusiast who believes the best way to learn about whisky is simply to drink it, compare it, and stay curious. From supermarket favourites to bottles from distilleries around the world, he writes about what he actually tastes and experiences, without pretending you need to be an expert to enjoy a good dram.
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