I started my scotch journey with Macallan 12 year over 20 years ago. It was my favorite until the 12 year double cask came out. That one bottle changed my mind, it was cheap scotch with a high price. I stopped buying Macallan ever since then. Your review is spot on.
Another lovely thoughtful review. I've had a number of Macallans over the years though I don't think I have ever had the 15. As far as I recall a standard Macallan was my introduction to single malts, or at least a very early sampling thanks to my father (also a whisky fan). Over the years, and with an increasing knowledge and shifting palate I have tended to move away from it in search of other interesting flavours. There are certain whiskys that I broadly categorise: Supermarket whiskies / airport whiskies / Boutique whiskies. Supermarket being - standard bottles in the shops, everywhere and 40% - Glenfiddich/Glenmorangie. Airport - Aimed at the luxury branding and gift markets - Dalmore, Macallan. Boutique - Overpriced and over packaged - Mortlach springs to mind here, the upper Macallans also. It's not to say a supermarket/airport whisky is bad per say, there are some fine malts to be had in these places with a bit of knowledge in hand. But there is a tendency to provide a product limited in some fashion, or overdressed as something it isn't and I always feel cautious about these brands. I now and prefer to take a "risk" on something from a more honest distiller. With your eye to value, would you consider a video on the subject of the best value whisky per region? I think it would be rather instructive to give people a pointer into the differing characters of whisky that won't break their bank account.
This is a great idea! I could do a Wade's Top Five Value Whiskies for each Scottish region! I will add these to the list of upcoming videos to record. Thank you for the suggestion!
Thanks for this review! I've never tried a Macallan, and the only reason is the price. Where I live, this 15YO is EUR 150, and for this money I can buy a single cask, cask strength, maybe 12-16YO from Arran, Glenallachie, or a similar distillery. Or even better, 3 bottles of Signatory UCF, from three different distilleries, 46% ABV, unchillfiltered, natural colour, which I am certain I will enjoy more, and for longer, than this Macallan.
AnCnoc 24yo in the same price. No more questions. Good review Wade. Glad you enjoy it. There is always good thing when you spent so much money and you get satisfaction. Its a guilty pleasure and i think every one of us once in a lifetime deserve for it. Cheers 🥂🙋🏻♂️
Thank you mate, I am relieved this was a nice whisky considering what I had to pay for it. I will say I won't be replacing this bottle when it is gone though.
Totally agree with your review Macallan is bulliing their price policy on scotch drinkers with a no more than good stuff and nobody should spend money on their stuff at the requested price. Cheers to all millionaires that could drink that stuff and pretending it’s the best Keep on your good job 👍
Great review. Spot on. Even if it tastes good, that price tag is not (in any market). You can get a great 15yo whisky in that price range, especially from independent bottlers.
100%! There is nothing wrong with this whisky, but knowing what you can get for the same price, it's hard to chose this over what you can truly get for this kind of money.
Great review Wade. I tasted a couple of NAS Macallans before (courtesy of my friends) and had a bottle of the 12 double cask myself. My experience was similar to yours. They are pleasant enough but their prices, goodness. They're all about status symbol, prestige and what not imo.
Very nice and honest review, never tried the 15 years old, tried in Christmas the 12 years old, also not cheap at all and I was not impressed. I think there are other good whiskies on the market with a better price. Just checked the internet, best price for the Mcallan 15 years in Germany is 140€ (approx 230 AUD). Cheers from Germany and enjoy the weekend
For me I think I’ve had one that did and it was a SMWS release which made me see what Macallan can be, and made me understand where the hype must have originated from.
That's disappointing. I am sorry to hear that. Personally, the 12 Traditional has been something of a lifelong friend. I do agree though that many of the more upscale NAS expressions have been disappointing.
I got a free plus one ticket to this odd Macallan tasting once, it was to showcase the Harmony Collection, but they were also pouring the 12 Double Cask and the 18 Sherry Oak... I drank as much as was respectable at 1pm on a week day, they were literally going round just topping up your glass with anything you wanted after the actual tasting was over, and it struck me that I would probably never drink Macallan again. Was quite surreal, but fun! The spiel from the Macallan rep was hilariously over the top.
Great review Wade, I don’t get the hype around Macallan, so generally steer clear of buying a bottle. I have a bottle of the Classic Cut from a few years ago and it still sits at the back of the cabinet. I just have other whisky that I tend to select before even looking to grab the bottle out. Keep up the great content 🥃
Great review, and thanks for saving me some $$ I would probably never spend that much on a 15 yr whiskey. I've always thought the Macallans were overpriced.
I (occasionally) buy Macallan, not as a status symbol, but because they have a unique flavor profile that only comes with a Macallan. Glendronach and Glenallichie 15 are both fantastic, maybe better in some regards, especially price. But at the end of the day it’s not gonna be the same as a Macallan if you like Macallan which I do. And I’m lucky there was a few dusty 15s sitting around for 130usd which I consider a fair price
Thank you for sharing your thoughts my friend, that is part of why I love this community, we all like different flavours and different distilleries, but one thing we can all agree on is that we love WHISKY 🥃
Beautiful review Wade. The price of this expression is outrageous! It’s about the same in Canada. I can’t justify the price and you are absolutely right that for this price there are outstanding expressions far surpassing what you found in the Macallan 15 Double Cask. I haven’t had this expression and based on cost alone wouldn’t buy it but it also sounds quite weak at only 43% ABV. Sometimes that doesn’t matter! Lagavulin 16 is delicious at that ABV but it’s also significantly less than this Macallan! Superb thoughts and I really appreciate them. I’m laid back and like you I don’t need to pay a lot for a scotch as a status symbol. That’s just insecurity. It’s kind of sad when people need to do that. I’d happily take the Glendronach 15 for much less! Cheers Wade!!
Yes!! I bought some scotch this afternoon and I took a look at the Macallan 15. It was $300 Canadian. It’s just too much. I got a Lagavulin and a Kilchomen!! Cheers!!
After trying a number of your recommendations, I find myself pondering if a Sherried 15 at 300 or an 18 at 600 is something I am prepared to splash out for. There has to be something more than branding.
I am glad I was able to review this one, but I will say there are many others whiskies I would have preferred to purchase with the money I spent on this. And I would NEVER spend what they ask for the 18 Double Cask or the 18 Sherry Cask, it's not a fair exchange of value and flavour for the money, you are paying for the 'privilege' of purchasing the Macallan.
I have the 12 Double Cask, it’s not spectacular but it’s extremely pleasant, I like it. Overpriced though. The 15 isn’t ridiculously expensive where I live, I may try it someday.
@@McIntyresMalts all sherried whiskies, Spain forbidden the usage of traditional sherry casks to mature whisky. So sherry wine used to season cannot be bottled and is discharged mainly to do vinegar or brandy.
I really like the flavor of Macallan Whisky, but I’ve only tried the 12 DC and 12 Sherry Oak. The 12 Sherry Oak is amazing I think, how would you compare the 15 DC to the 12 SO? If you’ve tried the 12 SO that is.
So what you’re saying is I’ll have to get the 15 DC to see for myself? Hahaha Thanks for the response, I see what you’re saying! I’m still hesitant to shell out 300 plus for a bottle, so thanks for giving me a bit of insight before I do.
@@Lobstikto be clear I DON’T recommend shelling out for Macllan at all to be honest. If you really enjoy the SO12, (and if you haven’t already) try Bunnahabhain 12, Tamdhu 12, Speyburn 15, GlenAllachie 12 or 15, or GlenDronach 15 - all better than Macallan IMO 😊
@McIntyresMalts Thanks for the info and help with my questions, I really appreciate it! That’s kinda what I was thinking too. Why shell out a bunch for something I haven’t tried when I already enjoy the 12 SO which is lots cheaper and I enjoy it lots. Cheers!🥃
The first time I tried Macallan (12) it fell extremely short of the expectation I had given the (undeserved?) reputation it has. For me, it is a Chevrolet whisky presenting itself as a Cadillac whisky. Chevy's aren't necessarily a bad car, but I would never pay a Cadillac price for one.
I bought them for $190 last year, The new 15 price is insane and i would rather buy the 18 double for $499AUD. it is still way cheaper than JP YAM12 OR HAKU12. Australia has the best price for M18 double(except UK) and worst price for sherry cask M18 ($899+ or 1000+
For the majority of whiskey drinkers/tasters, the high price and high age lead to a vision of higher quality and more flavors. If people buy low quality/big name/expensive whiskeys - then why say the producers are stupid? Even the stamp collector buys stamps at unrealistic prices! :D Price is an interesting thing - if you can sell it - sometimes an unrealistically high price results in more buyers. The choice is endless. Quality is a matter of taste. And many people like the taste of money... .-D It will be tastier if it is more expensive...
Couldn't agree more my friend, we always get to vote with our wallets and if we pay for sub-par or overpriced product, it's not the fault of the vendor or the manufacturer. It's funny how we perceive something as having more value because we paid (or have to pay) more for it.
@@McIntyresMalts Yes, that's why the blind test is good - because if we don't know what/for how much, we're left with our own taste. Then a lot of things are reevaluated. It's good to know that Macallan 15 is at least not a washed-out drink, and the profile remains, even if it's expensive.
@@McIntyresMalts Oh, and respect to you for sharing these great tests - with such fair evaluations. There are about 10-15 channels where there are such well-summarized reviews. 120 whiskey /365 days - very good, one of my favorites, and I would mention the 5 worst videos separately - which few dare to accept.
I was so upset after I made that purchase and popped the cork. I still have Mac 12's bottled in the early 20teens with a ton more character and depth; the whole experience was thoroughly annoying.
Yeah exactly dude! Is it a bad whisky? Abcolutely not! Is it worth that much? Absolutely not! Will I ever buy it? Absolutely not! Kind of a summary of Macallan in general although their NAS releases are quite sub par I'd say. Cheers Wade for yet another great review!
💯 brother, and the crazy thing is if the people who have bought into the Macallan story just tried some other quality single malts they would quickly realise the same thing and unplug from the whisky-matrix 😂
I started my scotch journey with Macallan 12 year over 20 years ago. It was my favorite until the 12 year double cask came out. That one bottle changed my mind, it was cheap scotch with a high price. I stopped buying Macallan ever since then. Your review is spot on.
Thanks mate, gotta call a spade a spade 😉
Another lovely thoughtful review. I've had a number of Macallans over the years though I don't think I have ever had the 15. As far as I recall a standard Macallan was my introduction to single malts, or at least a very early sampling thanks to my father (also a whisky fan). Over the years, and with an increasing knowledge and shifting palate I have tended to move away from it in search of other interesting flavours.
There are certain whiskys that I broadly categorise: Supermarket whiskies / airport whiskies / Boutique whiskies.
Supermarket being - standard bottles in the shops, everywhere and 40% - Glenfiddich/Glenmorangie.
Airport - Aimed at the luxury branding and gift markets - Dalmore, Macallan.
Boutique - Overpriced and over packaged - Mortlach springs to mind here, the upper Macallans also.
It's not to say a supermarket/airport whisky is bad per say, there are some fine malts to be had in these places with a bit of knowledge in hand. But there is a tendency to provide a product limited in some fashion, or overdressed as something it isn't and I always feel cautious about these brands. I now and prefer to take a "risk" on something from a more honest distiller.
With your eye to value, would you consider a video on the subject of the best value whisky per region? I think it would be rather instructive to give people a pointer into the differing characters of whisky that won't break their bank account.
This is a great idea! I could do a Wade's Top Five Value Whiskies for each Scottish region! I will add these to the list of upcoming videos to record.
Thank you for the suggestion!
Thanks for this review! I've never tried a Macallan, and the only reason is the price. Where I live, this 15YO is EUR 150, and for this money I can buy a single cask, cask strength, maybe 12-16YO from Arran, Glenallachie, or a similar distillery. Or even better, 3 bottles of Signatory UCF, from three different distilleries, 46% ABV, unchillfiltered, natural colour, which I am certain I will enjoy more, and for longer, than this Macallan.
Man if I could get 3 bottles of Signatory UCF for the same price as this that is absolutely the path I would be taking too Pater!
AnCnoc 24yo in the same price. No more questions. Good review Wade. Glad you enjoy it. There is always good thing when you spent so much money and you get satisfaction. Its a guilty pleasure and i think every one of us once in a lifetime deserve for it. Cheers 🥂🙋🏻♂️
You can add Tamdhu 18-year-old to that list also. Much better for less IMO.
Thank you mate, I am relieved this was a nice whisky considering what I had to pay for it. I will say I won't be replacing this bottle when it is gone though.
Totally agree with your review
Macallan is bulliing their price policy on scotch drinkers with a no more than good stuff and nobody should spend money on their stuff at the requested price. Cheers to all millionaires that could drink that stuff and pretending it’s the best
Keep on your good job 👍
Thanks Pierre 🥃
Great review. Spot on.
Even if it tastes good, that price tag is not (in any market). You can get a great 15yo whisky in that price range, especially from independent bottlers.
100%! There is nothing wrong with this whisky, but knowing what you can get for the same price, it's hard to chose this over what you can truly get for this kind of money.
Great review Wade. I tasted a couple of NAS Macallans before (courtesy of my friends) and had a bottle of the 12 double cask myself. My experience was similar to yours. They are pleasant enough but their prices, goodness. They're all about status symbol, prestige and what not imo.
Spot on Damien, can you imagine how well Macallan would be received if it was priced similar to the rest of the market?
Very nice and honest review, never tried the 15 years old, tried in Christmas the 12 years old, also not cheap at all and I was not impressed. I think there are other good whiskies on the market with a better price. Just checked the internet, best price for the Mcallan 15 years in Germany is 140€ (approx 230 AUD).
Cheers from Germany and enjoy the weekend
Cheers my friend, thank you for your thoughts! Enjoy your weekend too 🥃
This sells for $350 here in Canada. So glad I watched this review before forking out that kind of money for just an average big name brand.
Disgusting price, even worse than Australian price which is already too high!
In my humble opinion, not any Macallan had lived up to the hype (and price) for me. 🤷🏻♂️
For me I think I’ve had one that did and it was a SMWS release which made me see what Macallan can be, and made me understand where the hype must have originated from.
That's disappointing. I am sorry to hear that.
Personally, the 12 Traditional has been something of a lifelong friend. I do agree though that many of the more upscale NAS expressions have been disappointing.
I got a free plus one ticket to this odd Macallan tasting once, it was to showcase the Harmony Collection, but they were also pouring the 12 Double Cask and the 18 Sherry Oak... I drank as much as was respectable at 1pm on a week day, they were literally going round just topping up your glass with anything you wanted after the actual tasting was over, and it struck me that I would probably never drink Macallan again. Was quite surreal, but fun! The spiel from the Macallan rep was hilariously over the top.
Sounds like it was a fun event!
great review Wade.
Glad you liked it Joseph!😊
Love this Macallan 15 and happy to reside in the USA for great savings priced at $139 after discount of $25.
Man that price definitely changes the value prop. An excellent whisky for that price!
Thanks for a decent and honest review Wade.
Slàinte mhath
Cheers my friend, only way I know how 🥃
I just got a bottle of Macallan 15 Double Cask for my birthday and it’s on another level than the 12 year one.
Happy birthday my friend! Yes the 15 is definitely better than the 12 IMO
I've never tried Macallan due to the price. There are so many better value whiskies out there. Cheers!
We are spoilt for choice
Great review Wade, I don’t get the hype around Macallan, so generally steer clear of buying a bottle. I have a bottle of the Classic Cut from a few years ago and it still sits at the back of the cabinet. I just have other whisky that I tend to select before even looking to grab the bottle out. Keep up the great content 🥃
Yeah the NAS stuff is not good in my experience, I particularly dislike the Classic cut too.
Thanks for the comment my friend!
Great review, and thanks for saving me some $$ I would probably never spend that much on a 15 yr whiskey. I've always thought the Macallans were overpriced.
My pleasure Chris! Actually sipping on this one right now, it’s ok for sure, but I won’t be replacing it at the price it goes for.
I (occasionally) buy Macallan, not as a status symbol, but because they have a unique flavor profile that only comes with a Macallan. Glendronach and Glenallichie 15 are both fantastic, maybe better in some regards, especially price. But at the end of the day it’s not gonna be the same as a Macallan if you like Macallan which I do. And I’m lucky there was a few dusty 15s sitting around for 130usd which I consider a fair price
Thank you for sharing your thoughts my friend, that is part of why I love this community, we all like different flavours and different distilleries, but one thing we can all agree on is that we love WHISKY 🥃
Beautiful review Wade. The price of this expression is outrageous! It’s about the same in Canada. I can’t justify the price and you are absolutely right that for this price there are outstanding expressions far surpassing what you found in the Macallan 15 Double Cask. I haven’t had this expression and based on cost alone wouldn’t buy it but it also sounds quite weak at only 43% ABV. Sometimes that doesn’t matter! Lagavulin 16 is delicious at that ABV but it’s also significantly less than this Macallan! Superb thoughts and I really appreciate them. I’m laid back and like you I don’t need to pay a lot for a scotch as a status symbol. That’s just insecurity. It’s kind of sad when people need to do that. I’d happily take the Glendronach 15 for much less! Cheers Wade!!
Thanks for your thoughts Christine, thankfully we have so much choice in (and below!) this price range 🥃😊
Yes!! I bought some scotch this afternoon and I took a look at the Macallan 15. It was $300 Canadian. It’s just too much. I got a Lagavulin and a Kilchomen!! Cheers!!
After trying a number of your recommendations, I find myself pondering if a Sherried 15 at 300 or an 18 at 600 is something I am prepared to splash out for. There has to be something more than branding.
I am glad I was able to review this one, but I will say there are many others whiskies I would have preferred to purchase with the money I spent on this. And I would NEVER spend what they ask for the 18 Double Cask or the 18 Sherry Cask, it's not a fair exchange of value and flavour for the money, you are paying for the 'privilege' of purchasing the Macallan.
@@McIntyresMalts Too right, inching closer to becoming an educated alcoholic. :) 😉
@@vktay3198 😆🥃🎓
so, waiting for the Mc15 vs GD15 mano a mano review ;)
It’s coming 😉
And going to also put it up against the GlenAllachie 15, and the Tamdhu 15 too
I have the 12 Double Cask, it’s not spectacular but it’s extremely pleasant, I like it. Overpriced though. The 15 isn’t ridiculously expensive where I live, I may try it someday.
The 12 is reasonable priced where I am compared to the rest of the market, but the 15 is much better IMO
Nicely presented. It's not that it's bad, it's that it's outrageously overpriced.
Exactly Tim! If this was the same price as a GlenDronach 15 it would be a contender.
@@McIntyresMalts what about macallan 12 sherry oak??
@@filipzugec8346 Tamdhu 12 is better
The best whiskey I ever had, was a Macallan 50 I inherited in the late 1980s and was the liquid gold I enjoyed for more than a decade
I can only imagine!
Very good & Very True information bro..👍👍
🤝 thank you my friend
Since 1986 that all sherry casks used to mature whisky are seasoned and made of new oak.
At Macallan you mean?
@@McIntyresMalts all sherried whiskies, Spain forbidden the usage of traditional sherry casks to mature whisky. So sherry wine used to season cannot be bottled and is discharged mainly to do vinegar or brandy.
@@ADSCP Interesting! Can you send me a link to relevant information so I can learn more about this?
@@McIntyresMalts did you find the TH-cam channel I wrote here?
@@ADSCP I can't see any channel you have mentioned my friend, sometimes the comments don't always work. What was it called?
I really like the flavor of Macallan Whisky, but I’ve only tried the 12 DC and 12 Sherry Oak.
The 12 Sherry Oak is amazing I think, how would you compare the 15 DC to the 12 SO?
If you’ve tried the 12 SO that is.
The 15 DC has a nice balance, compared to the 12 SO, but the 12 has more density in the flavour if that makes sense
So what you’re saying is I’ll have to get the 15 DC to see for myself? Hahaha
Thanks for the response, I see what you’re saying!
I’m still hesitant to shell out 300 plus for a bottle, so thanks for giving me a bit of insight before I do.
@@Lobstikto be clear I DON’T recommend shelling out for Macllan at all to be honest. If you really enjoy the SO12, (and if you haven’t already) try Bunnahabhain 12, Tamdhu 12, Speyburn 15, GlenAllachie 12 or 15, or GlenDronach 15 - all better than Macallan IMO
😊
@McIntyresMalts Thanks for the info and help with my questions, I really appreciate it!
That’s kinda what I was thinking too. Why shell out a bunch for something I haven’t tried when I already enjoy the 12 SO which is lots cheaper and I enjoy it lots. Cheers!🥃
Every time I look at Macallan there prices are a bit over the top wade!!! Agreed!!!!
👍🏻 🥃
This is one of the more affordable ones! They get out of control from here and up the age statement ladder unfortunately.
@@McIntyresMalts 1000%
What happened to the samaroli glass?
Still got it (and still love it), just switch it up time to time 😉
The first time I tried Macallan (12) it fell extremely short of the expectation I had given the (undeserved?) reputation it has. For me, it is a Chevrolet whisky presenting itself as a Cadillac whisky. Chevy's aren't necessarily a bad car, but I would never pay a Cadillac price for one.
A good way to put it James!
What do you recommend over this
For the same profile, but better and more affordable- Tamdhu expressions
Macallan Quest is the best I’ve ever had, even better than Macallan 18 Sherry oak
Well the price of the Quest is about 1/10 of the Sherry Oak 18 in my market, so that's definitely a plus!
I bought them for $190 last year, The new 15 price is insane and i would rather buy the 18 double for $499AUD. it is still way cheaper than JP YAM12 OR HAKU12. Australia has the best price for M18 double(except UK) and worst price for sherry cask M18 ($899+ or 1000+
That's crazy that we have the best price of the Macallan Double Cask 18, it's still too much for what you get!
For the majority of whiskey drinkers/tasters, the high price and high age lead to a vision of higher quality and more flavors. If people buy low quality/big name/expensive whiskeys - then why say the producers are stupid? Even the stamp collector buys stamps at unrealistic prices! :D Price is an interesting thing - if you can sell it - sometimes an unrealistically high price results in more buyers. The choice is endless. Quality is a matter of taste. And many people like the taste of money... .-D It will be tastier if it is more expensive...
Couldn't agree more my friend, we always get to vote with our wallets and if we pay for sub-par or overpriced product, it's not the fault of the vendor or the manufacturer. It's funny how we perceive something as having more value because we paid (or have to pay) more for it.
@@McIntyresMalts Yes, that's why the blind test is good - because if we don't know what/for how much, we're left with our own taste. Then a lot of things are reevaluated. It's good to know that Macallan 15 is at least not a washed-out drink, and the profile remains, even if it's expensive.
@@McIntyresMalts Oh, and respect to you for sharing these great tests - with such fair evaluations. There are about 10-15 channels where there are such well-summarized reviews. 120 whiskey /365 days - very good, one of my favorites, and I would mention the 5 worst videos separately - which few dare to accept.
@@-beno- Yes, I am going to soon do a blind sherried 15 YO showdown video with 8 whiskies for the very reason you mention.
@@-beno- Thank you my friend, appreciate that 🥃
I was so upset after I made that purchase and popped the cork. I still have Mac 12's bottled in the early 20teens with a ton more character and depth; the whole experience was thoroughly annoying.
It’s definitely not what it once was 😢
I got mine for around 160 must of been a good deal
AUD? Recently? That’s an amazing deal if so and a buy at that price for sure!
Hi Wade ! Mac 15 nice whisky , but not my favorite ) Good review ,like . Slainte !
Thanks for watching!
Agreed !
Hmm. The shop up the street from me has it for $145.
The exchange to AUD would be the best price I have ever seen it here is Australia. What does it normally go for in your area?
@@McIntyresMalts
I don’t know. I’m new to Scotch and only bought it on a recommendation from the owner of the tiny liquor store I was in lol
Sounds like you got a good deal based on what it costs me
Yeah exactly dude! Is it a bad whisky? Abcolutely not! Is it worth that much? Absolutely not! Will I ever buy it? Absolutely not! Kind of a summary of Macallan in general although their NAS releases are quite sub par I'd say. Cheers Wade for yet another great review!
💯 brother, and the crazy thing is if the people who have bought into the Macallan story just tried some other quality single malts they would quickly realise the same thing and unplug from the whisky-matrix 😂
43% and chill filtered, how the hell are they selling this for how much?!?
Excellent marketing, that's how.
Those that know, know and are able to get more for our money 😉
@@McIntyresMalts wink wink *Tamdhu cough cough*
@@JosephC9 Yep, and now Tamdhu is trying to up their prices too now. Let's hope Tamdhu don't drop their specs and quality like Macallan 🤞