The Macallan 12 year is a single malt Scotch whiskey that is distilled in Speyside, Scotland and aged for a minimum of 12 years. This Scotch is exclusively matured in Sherry oak casks that are imported from Jerez, Spain. These specially-selected casks give The Macallan 12 year a rich golden color and a very complex taste that includes hints of dried fruits, spice, and chocolate orange.
When first cracking the bottle and taking a whiff, The Macallan 12 year reveals a light and pleasant fragrance. You can easily make out the citrusy aroma that would suggest a light and simple taste. When taking a sip, those notions immediately vanish. I wouldn’t call the taste harsh, but it is definitely forceful when you are expecting something light and subtle. The taste is in fact so forceful that it overpowers some of the complexities of the infused flavor. This forceful taste places The Macallan in a category I have christened “Man-Scotch”. It is definitely a Scotch drinker’s whiskey. The casual Scotch drinker would most likely not enjoy the immediate and powerful flavor. However, after the first drink, I began to easily pick out the citrus and spice flavors. They proved to be very pleasant and immensely enjoyable the more I consumed. The aftertaste is one of the more pleasant aftertastes that I have experienced from a similar Scotch in the same price range. It really made my tongue happy and kept me thirsting for more.
At 86-proof (43% alcohol), The Macallan 12 year didn’t give me a sloppy or over-the-top drunk. After a couple of drinks, I had a very nice and calming buzz. After finishing the standard four drinks, this buzz was definitely more calming and a bit more noticeable, but I was a far cry from drunk. Unlike some other liquors, it didn’t make me feel like removing my pants, but I certainly felt like royalty on the couch in front of the HD-TV. Even though I didn’t technically feel drunk from The Macallan 12 year, the extremely pleasant and enduring buzz I received was enough to merit high marks in my book. Though never drunk, I was still feeling the effects hours after consumption. Even with the long-lasting buzz it brings to the table, The Macallan 12 did not give me any noticeable hangover the next day. I really felt rested and ready to go again the next morning.
For around $58 for a 750mL bottle, The Macallan 12 year seems to be a bit overpriced for the taste it gives, but the long-lasting buzz paired with the lack of a hangover the next morning might make it worth its weight in gold to many consumers. Although The Macallan 12 year would not be a good choice for a casual Scotch drinker, it is worth a try for any experienced Scotch drinker searching for a new single malt to add to the rotation.
Sipability – 7.5
Mixability – N/A
Drunkability – 8.0
Hangover-ability – 9.0
Bang for the Buck – 7.0
Overall - 8.0 
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Compare to a comparable Glenlivet or Aberlour product and you may be able to save a few bucks. I was able to get Balvenie Doublewood for $40 a bottle and thus the cost of Macallan would be wasted money. Macallan tends to have a winey taste due to the sherry and port cask aging, and I like more of a bourbon oak cask taste. Try to find a more rare Caol Ila product from Islay (It tastes nothing like Laphroaig or Lagavulin), or save a few bucks and get Highland Park 12 and compare. You will probably go with the Highland Park 12 or Caol Ila 12. There are several Speyside and Highland distillers into the port and sherry cask aging process, so Macallan isn’t all that unique or rare. However, a lot of folks into many different types of liquor prefer the winey taste of Speyside malts with sherry and port wood finishes. True scotch fiends tend to prefer the unique smokey and peaty malts such as Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Highland Park, Talisker, Ardmore, Springbank, etc. Port and sherry wood finishes were never a part of classic early scotch. Bourbon oak finishes mess with the taste a lot less and give more of an original experience. If winey scotch is your thing, Macallan is a top choice.
I would be interested in a comparison between The Macallan 10 and 12. I just bought a bottle of the 10 Fine Oak, and while it has a good fruity, balanced flavor, it has an extremely short finish IMHO. Does the 12 fix these problems, or is finish still an issue?
It has been awhile since I’ve had Macallan 12, but I recall the finish being pretty beefy. I wouldn’t call it as pleasant as Highland Park 12 though. Give it a try. You might enjoy it a bit better than the 10-year.
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Philip, those are some excellent suggestions. Balvenie Doublewood and Highland Park 12 are both better values than the Macallan 12 and they’re straight-up better whiskies all round.
IMO though, Glenfarclas 12 the one to look at if you like the Macallan 12. The style is more or less the same, but the profile is better balanced.
Because of the reviews, I tried Highland Park 12. Very disappointed… taste was not even in the same league as Macallan 12. I regret having not spent the few extra bucks for the incomparable Macallan. Curiosity killed the cask.
This stuff tastes like someone took a shit in your mom’s mouth, then she gave me a blowjob, i was in the shower afterwards washing my cack, the accidently touched my mouth. It’s that bad
Why does Macallan 12 get a superior rating to Highland Park 12? Because of “Hangover” ability? Who cares about that unless you are getting completely drunk?– and anyways that’s probably the most subjective criterion.
Also… when a can we expect more scotch reviews?
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After reading the 1st couple of lines of your Macallan 12 I feared I was about to discover someone who didn’t like (or “understand”) this fine mid-priced single malt scotch. Fortunately you did understand what make a great Speyside whiskey. Another wonderful find from Speyside is “Tomatin 12″ @ 43%abv, currently on sale for $30.99. It is a delightful complex Single Malt that is very easy to drink, straight or with a bit of water (or an ide cube). Very nice for a modest price. For many years I’ve been especially partial to the heavily smoked peated maltings from the isle of Isley. My favorite would no doubt be Lagavulin 16 year, but at around $80 for 750ml it is generally outside my price range. But one great discovery is Laphroaigh “Quarter Cask” @ 48% abv. This is priced around $50 (in Pennsylvania) and if (an important “if” you like the smokiness (some hate it!), this is the best readily-available Islay Single Malt you’re likely to find.
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