Review 171: Macallan 12

Can't believe I haven't reviewed a Macallan yet! Let's start with the staple 12 year old sherry wood bottling. The oh-so prestigious Macallan 18 up next!

Macallan 12

Color: Amber +1

ABV: 43%

Aroma Neat:
Heavy Sherry (Oloroso, some sulfur), Red Currants, Dried Strawberries, Gunpowder, Burning Rubber, Brandy, Caramelized Marzipan (slightly), Molasses/Muscovado Sugar, Vanilla Cake Batter, Musty Books, Tame Oak.

Big sherry delivery, that reminds me of a Whisky Broker Benrinnes 14 I reviewed a while ago.

Aroma Water:
Thick Caramel, Barley Bread, Golden Syrup/Honey, Vanilla-Infused Rum, Armagnac/Cognac, Gunpowder/Burnt Rubber, Earthy Sherry (mushrooms), Coriander, Orange Peel, Clove Oil, Fresh Churned Butter.

Sweeter and still heavily sherried, but more rich and sweet that overtly fruity now.

Taste Neat:
Sherry (light sulfur), Grapey Tannins,Gunpowder (very slightly), Dried Strawberries.

Is that it? Didn't catch too many notes neat.

Taste Water:
Dried Strawberries, Cooked Apples, Cinnamon, Coriander, Nutmeg (slightly),  Nutty, Black Plums, Smooth Barrel Char/Oak.

Heavily sherried and a tad dirty. Good stuff!

Finish:
Gunpowder (slightly), Grape-Soaked Malt (slightly bitter), Tobacco, Sweet Oak/Vanilla, Light Smoke/Char, Hot Copper.

Medium duration, with coppery/cigar smokiness lingering.

Conclusion:
Big sherry nose that evens out with water, but stays heavy.

Tasty palate with just enough fruit, mulling spice, and gunpowder.

Similarly satisfying finish.

Rating: 84/100

Really nice sherried whisky that is definitely in the same heavy, slightly dirty (in a good way!) family as Glendronach. Certainly more available than Glendronach (if maybe not quite on the same level).

Josh