Name: The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2022 release)

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Malt, light oak, vanilla, caramel, raisins

Taste: Malt, oak, raisins, orange zest

The Macallan Distillery is located in Craigellachie, Moray which is the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and has numerous expressions and ages available starting at 8 years and up to 72 years. The prices range from $65 to $500,000 so check you bank account before you guy. The Macallan is one of those “gold standards” in scotch that people either know or are familiar with due to product placement.

The Macallan 18 Sherry Oak Cask is aged for the total years, undisturbed, in Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks and then bottled at 43% abv. The description of the flavor profile on the box is spot on. The raisin, spice, oak, vanilla, etc. notes are on the nose and tongue. However, I did not get the ginger as stated on the bottle, it is probably just my taste buds. The smoothness of this whisky cannot be described in words. This is a true sipping whisky to be enjoyed for special occasions. My friend Sam kept saying, “it’s so smooth…” over and over with each glass by the wood fire. I can summarize by only saying that this whisky needs to be experienced. No words do it justice no matter who writes them or what influencer promotes Macallan 18.

Priced around $400 per bottle and worth it if it fits you budget.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Name: The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023 release)

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Malt, light oak, sherry, fruit, vanilla-caramel

Taste: Malt, oak, fruit-raisins, spice, cream finish

The Macallan Distillery is in Craigellachie, Moray which is the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and has numerous expressions and ages available to purchase with ages starting at 8 years and up to 72 years. The price ranges are from $65 to $500,000. The Macallan is one of those “gold standards” in scotch that people either know or have heard of because of product placement in television, movies, and seeing it on the shelf.

The Macallan 18 – Sherry Oak Cask (2023) is aged “seasoned oak casks from Jerez Spain” and is then bottled at 43% abv. The label states it is natural colored, but no mention of non-chilled filtering. From my research I learned that the sherry casks were “seasoned” which can mean that the cask had sherry added to them to give them the sherry flavor. They might have not used actual sherry casks from Jerez. I am not able to confirm this from my research.

I would say, but cannot compare to the 2022 release that I reviewed last year, that the 2023 is slightly smoother, but little lower in quality. There is just something missing in the taste profile, but is still very good. I should have saved a dram of the 2022 to compare in 2023. I will be purchasing The Macallan 12 Sherry Cask finish and comparing them side by side.

This expression is a true sipping whisky to be enjoyed for special occasions like celebrating a 30-year friendship. My friend Sam was visiting, and we went right to work enjoying this expression. 

Priced around $400 per bottle and worth it if it works with your budgets.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Name: The Macallan 12

Color: Light brown

Nose: Light oak and sherry

Taste: Medium bodied, sherry, orange citrus, sweet oak finish

As you can see from the picture, my former coworker is a very patient man. They say, “some things are worth waiting for”, personally, I had a bigger glass at my desk.

Macallan 12 is a very good and well-marketed brand of Scotch whisky. It is lighter in body and flavor which is easier to drink but a bad idea in a cocktail as the flavor will be lost among the mixers. If you would like to “up your Scotch game” or need arrive somewhere with a nicer bottle in your hand, Macallan 12 would be an excellent choice.

I always recommend Macallan 12 as an introduction Scotch for non-whisky drinkers due to the lighter flavor and balanced taste. The vast amount of whisky from Scotland can overwhelm you and you would not want to start out too strong or too complex in flavor such as Laphroaig or Dalmore.

Macallan 12 will be easier and more enjoyable on your palate as opposed to full-bodied whiskeys with ice or water.

Priced around $65+ and worth the money.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!