Wow, what an 'origin story' - from being a wine person to creating a YT whisky channel and that huge bottle collection behind you, you sure went all in on this whisky adventure! On a side note, I had the Macallan 12 Sherry Oak back in December and really enjoyed it!
Thanks! I had another commenter complain about me telling the story, saying it was boring and that I should "just do the review." Anywho, she won't be watching anymore.
Erik! I would love a comparison of Mac 12 Double Cask with the 12 Sherry Cask! I have an older Double cask and find it more Sherried too! The Old(Maroon Box) Mac 12 Sherry is much better to me Than the rebranded version(Black Box). Love your thoughts comparing the double cask against the Sherry! (The Sherry 12 is over 100 in some markets! Nuts!) Great review as always! Neal
Erik - thanks my man. I absolutely love your passion. I am very new to whisky, I believe, because most of the tastes I had prior were so lame likely due to poor quality. Macallan 12 is very tasty even for newbies like me. Thanks for the high quality review, high quality history and back story.
$70 is a great price. If I went near this bottle I would spend $80-90 in my neighborhood. I think Macallan is a study in successful marketing. The whisky must be good and "better back on the day" but my journey and money is elsewhere. Does your memory of this seem to be more quintessential or delicious?
I leave for Scotland April 12! I return to the USA April 26. Unfortunately it is not not possible to visit every distillery as many do not have a visitor center and are not open to the public. Out of the 140 or so distilleries only about 80 are open to the public.
Macallan deservingly catches a lot of crap for their prices and sucker-bottles they release, but at one time Macallan 12 & 18 Sherry Wood were two of my favorites, but they've priced me out. As for the 12 Double Cask, it's overpriced and not very special, but I can only think of a handful of other Sherry-heavy malts for a few bucks less these days: Glenfarclas 12, Glenmorangie Lasanta 12, maybe a good batch of Bunnahabhain 12, GlenDronach 12 is maybe a few bucks less, but not much else.
Glenfarclas 12 is .. meh, I think the Macallan 12 is even better. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14(!) is a Port cask finished whisky and it’s really good, but I don’t think it’s the whisky you were thinking of. GlenDronach isn’t what it’s used to be, I guess I would still prefer the Macallan 12. But Bunnahabhain 12 is, as Eric said, the much better whisky. And here in Germany it’s half the price of the Macallan 12, so it’s a no-brainer which I would buy. BTW: I love how your autocorrect changed it to „Macaroni 12“ 😁 It sounds like something Steven Seagal would say trying to order a Macallan in a restaurant 😂
Over 800 videos, 3 trips to Scotland visiting 40+ distilleries, worked at Springbank Distillery for a week and I've read a lot of books.It is sort of like going through college and getting an AA, then a BA and then a MA degree. I've consumed a lot information and experience in a short period of time. Yet there is still SO much to learn!
Thank you Eric, new viewer from South Africa; I learned a lot from you today regarding the transitions over to the Double and Triple Cask range. Had the privilege of touring the new Macallan distillery in September 2018 and it was AMAZING!! I will however say that Macallan pricing has gone interstellar (frankly, stupidly expensive), to me; there are far better Speyside/Highland whiskies out there for a lot less money. Aberlour. Tamdhu, Glenfarclas, Glendronach, Old Pultney all come to mind.
I visited Macallan in June 2018, about 2 weeks after they opened the new distillery. I enjoyed the tour and I like the whisky, but there are just too many on the market that are comparable or better for less money.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Did you buy any whisky at the distillery? Agreed. I do miss the Fine Oak series and older Sherried 12 year old but none of the newer ones.
This whisky is castrated (chill filtered) the oilyness is filtered out, that is why its so thin, this brand is living on marketing and 70 is not worth it. The bunna 12 for example is better and a lot cheaper
I've tried their 15 year old, and it was ok but nothing special. I nearly spat it out in disbelief when I heard the price. I will never buy a bottle from this distillery unless they change course considerably.
heh, it's only $70 for you? Mine doesn't even go on SALE for that low. It's actually come down a little bit, but it's $85 here. . . Can't buy Tamdhu, and the other typically suggested alternative is $60. . . I have been leaning on Tomatin 12 as a $40 bottle I can get for less on sale. And some local American Single Malts for around the same price. I would love if someday you could do a study of Virginia Distillery Company's (just announced) American Single Malts. These whiskeys used to be their single malt mixed with scotch malt whiskey and finished in various cask types. It isn't scotch, but it's very scotch adjacent. And those have had plenty of those "wow!" moments. 46.5 ABV, finished in either Port, Apple cider/Brandy barrels, and Cabernet barrels as well. At $45 local, with sales I hope, it's a great selection!
I've been focused on Scotch whisky due to studying for the Master of Scot exams and will continue to do so until I pass the blind tasting exam. But, afterwards I may take a gander at American single malts.
I’ve drank a lot of good whiskies in my lifetime but I have to say that Macallan Quest was the finest whisky I’ve ever tasted, bar none. If you are fortunate to get your hands on one it’ll be the greatest whisky you’ve ever had
The overall quality isn't there for me. McAllen is more about the brand than what's in the bottle. It's an "ok" whiskey. So many more complex, unchallenged filter, natural color, whiskies out there at around the same price. When I 1st started my journey it was with Johnnie Walker. I was a bug advocate for them, then I discovered single malt and wow, what a difference. I feel that the Macallan is the Johnnie Walker of single malt scotch. It's all about the name/brand. They are "ok", and should be priced as ok whiskey. Just my thoughts.
something like a Laddie non peated, Glendronach 12, Glenfiddich 15 and Glemnmorangie 15, 18 etc for lesser prices will beat the snot out of this overpriced Macallan.
Wow, what an 'origin story' - from being a wine person to creating a YT whisky channel and that huge bottle collection behind you, you sure went all in on this whisky adventure! On a side note, I had the Macallan 12 Sherry Oak back in December and really enjoyed it!
Thanks! I had another commenter complain about me telling the story, saying it was boring and that I should "just do the review." Anywho, she won't be watching anymore.
Tamdhu 12 yr. old and the 12 yr Glenmorangie Lasanta are great alternatives at much lower prices.
Erik! I would love a comparison of Mac 12 Double Cask with the 12 Sherry Cask! I have an older Double cask and find it more Sherried too! The Old(Maroon Box) Mac 12 Sherry is much better to me
Than the rebranded version(Black Box). Love your thoughts comparing the double cask against the Sherry! (The Sherry 12 is over 100 in some markets! Nuts!) Great review as always! Neal
Sadly(ridiculously), this is near $100 here in East Tennessee.
That's what it used to cost about four months ago here. Then it had a fifty percent price increase.
Very true. I’m in Alberta, Canada and besides our local costco I’ve never seen it for under $100. Even at Costco it’s $90.
@@Cole-lebout723
I just picked it up yesterday for $74. It was a mom&pop shop tho.
Erik - thanks my man. I absolutely love your passion. I am very new to whisky, I believe, because most of the tastes I had prior were so lame likely due to poor quality. Macallan 12 is very tasty even for newbies like me. Thanks for the high quality review, high quality history and back story.
Thanks for watching! 🥃
I don't know if I thought all Scotch smelled like this but definitely Bowmore 12 was like warm wet wool socks.
$70 is a great price. If I went near this bottle I would spend $80-90 in my neighborhood.
I think Macallan is a study in successful marketing. The whisky must be good and "better back on the day" but my journey and money is elsewhere.
Does your memory of this seem to be more quintessential or delicious?
Hey Erik, what's the schedule for your upcoming Scotland visit? Can't believe you've not visited every distillery already! 😁
I leave for Scotland April 12! I return to the USA April 26. Unfortunately it is not not possible to visit every distillery as many do not have a visitor center and are not open to the public. Out of the 140 or so distilleries only about 80 are open to the public.
Macallan deservingly catches a lot of crap for their prices and sucker-bottles they release, but at one time Macallan 12 & 18 Sherry Wood were two of my favorites, but they've priced me out.
As for the 12 Double Cask, it's overpriced and not very special, but I can only think of a handful of other Sherry-heavy malts for a few bucks less these days: Glenfarclas 12, Glenmorangie Lasanta 12, maybe a good batch of Bunnahabhain 12, GlenDronach 12 is maybe a few bucks less, but not much else.
Bunnahabhain 12 is definitely a much better whisky! 🥃
Glenfarclas 12 is .. meh, I think the Macallan 12 is even better. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14(!) is a Port cask finished whisky and it’s really good, but I don’t think it’s the whisky you were thinking of. GlenDronach isn’t what it’s used to be, I guess I would still prefer the Macallan 12.
But Bunnahabhain 12 is, as Eric said, the much better whisky. And here in Germany it’s half the price of the Macallan 12, so it’s a no-brainer which I would buy.
BTW: I love how your autocorrect changed it to „Macaroni 12“ 😁 It sounds like something Steven Seagal would say trying to order a Macallan in a restaurant 😂
@@justinafuchs2619 My bad, I meant Glenmorangie Lasanta 12, and autocorrect can be funny ✌️
@@MrChristopherMolloy Yeah, I thought you meant the Lasanta, and no worries, autocorrect can be really funny! Cheers, mate.
I can't believe you've only been at it since 2016?!?
Over 800 videos, 3 trips to Scotland visiting 40+ distilleries, worked at Springbank Distillery for a week and I've read a lot of books.It is sort of like going through college and getting an AA, then a BA and then a MA degree. I've consumed a lot information and experience in a short period of time. Yet there is still SO much to learn!
I wish I could find Mac 12 for 70 bucks. It’s at least 89.99 cheapest here in NJ
Got mine for $63 before tax in CA total wine and more
Are Macallen chill filtered? Some? All?
If it doesn't say "Non-chill-filtered" on the label or their web site then I'd assume it has some chill filtering.
I'll take Glendronach 12.
Thank you Eric, new viewer from South Africa; I learned a lot from you today regarding the transitions over to the Double and Triple Cask range.
Had the privilege of touring the new Macallan distillery in September 2018 and it was AMAZING!!
I will however say that Macallan pricing has gone interstellar (frankly, stupidly expensive), to me; there are far better Speyside/Highland whiskies out there for a lot less money. Aberlour. Tamdhu, Glenfarclas, Glendronach, Old Pultney all come to mind.
I visited Macallan in June 2018, about 2 weeks after they opened the new distillery. I enjoyed the tour and I like the whisky, but there are just too many on the market that are comparable or better for less money.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Did you buy any whisky at the distillery?
Agreed. I do miss the Fine Oak series and older Sherried 12 year old but none of the newer ones.
This whisky is castrated (chill filtered) the oilyness is filtered out, that is why its so thin, this brand is living on marketing and 70 is not worth it. The bunna 12 for example is better and a lot cheaper
I totally agree about the Bunnahabhain 12, it is only of my most recommended bottles.
I'm thinking Tomatin 12 as well as maybe some others, but since I really haven't tasted the Macallan 12, it's just a guess. 👍👌✌️🤘😎
I've tried their 15 year old, and it was ok but nothing special. I nearly spat it out in disbelief when I heard the price. I will never buy a bottle from this distillery unless they change course considerably.
heh, it's only $70 for you? Mine doesn't even go on SALE for that low. It's actually come down a little bit, but it's $85 here. . . Can't buy Tamdhu, and the other typically suggested alternative is $60. . . I have been leaning on Tomatin 12 as a $40 bottle I can get for less on sale. And some local American Single Malts for around the same price. I would love if someday you could do a study of Virginia Distillery Company's (just announced) American Single Malts. These whiskeys used to be their single malt mixed with scotch malt whiskey and finished in various cask types. It isn't scotch, but it's very scotch adjacent. And those have had plenty of those "wow!" moments. 46.5 ABV, finished in either Port, Apple cider/Brandy barrels, and Cabernet barrels as well. At $45 local, with sales I hope, it's a great selection!
I've been focused on Scotch whisky due to studying for the Master of Scot exams and will continue to do so until I pass the blind tasting exam. But, afterwards I may take a gander at American single malts.
I’ve drank a lot of good whiskies in my lifetime but I have to say that Macallan Quest was the finest whisky I’ve ever tasted, bar none. If you are fortunate to get your hands on one it’ll be the greatest whisky you’ve ever had
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Slainte! 🥃
$70 would be an absolute bargoon here in Canada where it goes for $150!!!!!
It’s over 100 for 70 it’s an immediate buy lol
I’m from Hawaii and I was able to buy it for 63$ at target.
Everyday Whisky. Bingo.
😁
Good bottle, but not as good as the black box 12 year.
The overall quality isn't there for me. McAllen is more about the brand than what's in the bottle. It's an "ok" whiskey. So many more complex, unchallenged filter, natural color, whiskies out there at around the same price. When I 1st started my journey it was with Johnnie Walker. I was a bug advocate for them, then I discovered single malt and wow, what a difference. I feel that the Macallan is the Johnnie Walker of single malt scotch. It's all about the name/brand. They are "ok", and should be priced as ok whiskey. Just my thoughts.
so pretty much not worth the price..
Worth is subjective. I would not pay over $100,000 for any sports car.
No. None of modern Macallans are worth of their price.
It’s 100 dollars in Idaho plus tax and you no what it’ way over rated.
$100 is definitely too much
I just got the Macallan 12 double cask 750ml for $65 usd is that good price bruh 😎
Its about average.
something like a Laddie non peated, Glendronach 12, Glenfiddich 15 and Glemnmorangie 15, 18 etc for lesser prices will beat the snot out of this overpriced Macallan.