This marriage creates flavors of rich dried fruits, ginger, and toffee. But remember, some labels dont even say that at all! While at first this might seem limiting, it actually produces much more concentrated low-wine. Gordon & MacPhail This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The DC has a bit of spice on the tongue but it quickly opens up to spiced apples and more honey with a touch of citrus. The Macallan 18 is distinctly smoother, richer, and full of even more unique leathery flavors. The latter exerts more savory threads including peppery spice. Save yourself 150 and buy a Glendronach 18 or Bunnahabhain 18. Let us know what you think!! In the aroma are top notes of nutmeg and clove, overlaid above the toffee and ginger elements familiar to its younger sibling. Glendronach I enjoy some of the peater scotchs out there Laphroaig 10 etc and have drank a few of the 120 proofs in Europe and enjoyed most of them as well. The first distillation called in copper pot stills, separates all the liquid alcohol from this mixture by adjusting heating and cooling levels in the pot. Suddenly, The Macallan turned into a luxury brand with a real premium, and I spent a lot of time searching for other distilleries that wouldnt ruin my wallet. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The people who have brought up Glengoyne 21 and Glendronach 21 are correct, those are both better options for a Scotch aficionado in the correct price range. Macallan 18 Sherry Oak vs Macallan 18 Double Cask Now that youre home, you cant stop wondering if youve made a giant mistake by not picking up that new bottle and you begin to cry yourself into a corner. Its hyped, sure. Size 750mL Proof 86 (43% ABV) *Please note that the ABV of this bottle may vary The range-topping 18-year-old is the crown jewel of The Macallan 's Double Cask series. Oh, I forgot to mention that I quite liked the Double Cask. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old pairs the indulgent fruit, caramel and oak spice character of Sherry-seasoned European oak with the bright citrus and vanilla notes of Sherry-seasoned American oak for a satisfyingly rich and perfectly balanced flavor experience. On the tongue, sultana, Christmas cake and caramel takes hold. You can definitely feel the old school oozing through each sip. However I was disappointed. Special offers, recommendations and expert advice to your inbox! Dalmore The newcomers provide more of the same with the benefit of added time in the barrel. Grain whisky may include wheat, rye, corn or other grains. Sherry seasoned American oak adds delicate vanilla to the subtle spice of European oak, delivering a whisky with a sweeter, warmer taste and character. (A Balvenie adventure! The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old, a perfectly balanced single malt whisky matured for 18 years in both American and European sherry seasoned oak casks. How will that affect the flavor? you think to yourself. Macallan the old charm classic rich full bodied. Spoiler alert: If you truly love Scotch, I can virtually guarantee you wont be disappointed. Mortlach Overall, theMacallan 12 Double Caskserves as an introductory release to sherry cask matured Scotch before going for the sherry-bombs, although the deep oaky note can be harsh for some consumers. 66.33.216.187 Adding The to the title of single malt scotch is a marketing ploy first used by The Glenlivet to avoid other distilleries ripping off their name. My passion for Scotch started in college when my conniving parents gave me their best whisky for my "first taste." Fary Lochan Glen Keith Prices vary based on delivery destination (it's a tax thing), so please change it if you're not shipping within United Kingdom as it might affect the price! I would not use the Double Cask as a mixer due to its price. Medium sweet. Im getting a DC this evening to try it on. Bowmore Grant's Businessmen discussing million dollar trades over cigars? Its also a great representation of how important the wood selection of barrels actually is. Being legal does not mean its right and I find a hard time taking seriously whiskies that add artificial colorants. The Sherry Oak 12 is well-balanced, with no overwhelming flavor notes and a smooth, approachable character. Scapa you have read, understood, and agree to our Privacy Policy. Youll dilute the flavor so much the taste wont be worth it! Ezra Brooks Macallan 18 Yr Sherry Oak | Total Wine & More You can find me at the confluence of food, beverage and travel. Pop your email address in below and well let you know next time this product becomes available. - DC should be better for non Sherry bomb lovers. Bushmills Auchentoshan They already have an 18 triple cask (fine oak) so with the success of the 12 DC, I could see an 18 DC in the future for sure! I'll be looking at both the Double Cask 12 and the Triple Cask 12. Very good don't really know too much about whisky but did enjoy this, Delicious and well balanced sherry! The Double Cask is rich in flavors, not too sweet, with a faint note of chocolate, a trace of spice, with a bit of warmth at the end and a noticeable oaky note making it a pleasing dram as it goes down nicely. Smgen Somewhere around 2012, as the demand for its output [mostly from Southeast Asia] outreached its production capacity, the 18-year-old nearly disappeared from the shelves, and, as you can imagine, the prices skyrocketed. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Overall, the Macallan 12 Double Cask serves as an introductory release to sherry cask matured Scotch before going for the sherry-bombs, although the deep oaky note can be harsh for some consumers. And there are good reasons for it too. Lemon citrus though, not orange type citrus notes that other Macallans are known for. Master of Malt supports responsible drinking - Sip, don't Gulp. *Price, vintage and availability may vary by store. Shop Macallan 18 Yr Sherry Oak at the best prices. And they are the only distillery to employ a Master of Wood at all times. And it might be what the distillery is best known for! Cask Strength Double Cask??!) Its just a really, really f*cking good dram of whisky that will never disappoint. Tasty but the price leaves a rather sour taste in the mouth. Benrinnes Fermenting is the process of converting sugars in the barley into alcohol. There are a lot of reasons people love the sweet honey goodness of a good scotch. Because the actual ex-sherry casks are super expensive, and this is the shortcut that many distilleries now employ. However, their bottles are often labeled as Highland Single Malt. This is why some consumers get confused. That sentiment is totally understandable. The labels are bold yet not overfilled with information, leaving an understated elegance to the whole presentation. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7c0792abcd1b9c55 The Macallan treated this 18 Year Old to not just one, but two cask types for its maturation, released as part of the Double Cask series! View more sizes. Its interesting how different it is from the old standard 12! But first, we need music! European oak (Quercus Robur) is looser, allowing the liquid stored inside to penetrate deeper into its layers. Its very light on the tongue and more like water than oil. But the price isnt overinflated. A mix of Dried Berries with Peppery Raspberry and Plum Preserves, Unavoidable Thick Oak, A hint Cinnamon French Toast perhaps? Even relative newcomers to the world of whisky seem to know that Macallan screams quality. The Macallan Sherry Oak is a vatting of whiskies at least 18 years of age [and older] that spent the entirety of their lives maturing in individual ex-sherried casks. Smaller batches also means greater interaction with the copper of the pot stills, which adds greater flavor. Malt, in this case, refers to malted barley as the only base grain.So a single malt scotch simply means a whisky: Made entirely in Scotland Made only of malted barley and water Aged at least 3 years Includes scotch from only one distillery. Macduff In the aroma are top notes of nutmeg and clove, overlaid above the toffee and ginger elements familiar to its . I feel that the DC is smoother all the way around. - Palate is quite different. Yes, this whisky is expensive but rightfully so. Unsubscribe at any time. All rights reserved. Fruitier, Ripe Fresh Strawberries, Hint of Candied Ginger and Vanilla Ice Cream, Toasty Wheat, Smooth, So Smooth, No Alcohol Burn (Is this even alcoholic?). While barley has natural enzymes that begin the process in step 1, yeast is added in the fermentation step to increase the speed and quantity of the alcohol produced. The Macallan Lumina: Sherry seasoned in European and American oak casks. (although, in the case where you only give us your name and contact details in connection with a review, we will never use that information for any promotional or marketing purposes). But the single malt specifies the type.Single, in this case, refers to a single distillery. So either the second one overcharged me, or the first one was a very good deal. The nose is sweet, rich in sherry, dried fruit and oak. This really is the nectar of the Scotch whisky gods. - Final is also very different. Finally its now up to you to decide how well theyve performed that task. The whisky has spent 12 years maturing in hand-picked oak casks from Jerez, Spain that were previously seasoned with sherry. Thats a pretty good way to put it! The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old | Drizly, The Macallan vs The Glenlivet: The Tale of Two Speysides. The Macallan bottles are sort of iconic these days. In a specially recorded video, The Macallan brand ambassador Jeremy Lee shares his personal experiences with The Double Cask 15 and 18 Years Old Watch The Macallan Whisky Bench Experience: Double Cask Journey from Acorn to Glass, preferably with your own bottle of The Double Cask range. But between those I'd take the double cask. And, hey, if this sounds like something youd like to try, click that price to give it a shot. By clicking Notify me! (and ticking the box, if applicable), you confirm Scotch, quite simply, is whisky made and aged at least three years in Scotland. However, the Macallan 18 is considerably more expensive. They had a joke "If Kathryn comes to a party, you need a whiskey that's over $40." Eddu I definitely prefer the sherry a million times over it. TATLER TIP: Double cask refers to the use of both American and European oak sherry casks, which imbues the whisky with a warm, velvety mouthfeel. Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of 2021. The other casks are European oak that also held sherry in Spain before their trip to the Highlands. *Inclusive of GST. Dried Apricots and Vanilla. The Macallan 18 Double Cask is one of those bottles. Chita But theres a long history of craft at play that makes this bottle worth that extra cash layout. I always order it when we go out. Silver Barspoons from scratch! Each wood brings a unique character to the mix that helps this single malt really shine. Cinnamon, Baking Spices, Christmas Cake filled with Oranges and Ginger, Vanilla Cream, Oak, Sweeter, Toastier, A Bit more Nut and Milk Chocolate, Nutmeg and Cinnamon are still present. Taste and explore a dram without buying a whole bottle! ABV: 43% Average Price: $350 The Whisky: This single malt from Scotland's famed and stunning Highlands is matured for 18 long years in two . Much better whisky too. Then its up to the blenders to arrive at the optimal balance between the properly aged barrels. Speaking of prices, the first hotel charged me 46 for a 50ml pour of that Sherry Oak, while the second hotel charged me 43 for the same-sized pour of the Double Cask. Oloroso sherry was used to season a combination of both American and European oak casks, with the former imparting vanilla nuances while the latter brings that . cask. PALATE However I found DC a bit harsh, rough edges with a sharp bite as if it needed further aging. Long and Leathery, Hints of Tobacco, Dried Apricots and Ginger, Oak is the final note. The Macallan 15 Review: Appearance, Nose and Finish. Its not a situation where youre shelling out $800 for a bottle with an MSRP of $99. The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky Pick Up. And their lineup includes some specialty ranges like Gold, Rare Cask, and several collections like the Quest Collection and the Master Decanter Collection. . Hunter Laing Bottles of the new core expressions hit shelves globally this month. Jim Beam vs Jack Daniels Compared Explored, Jameson vs Jack Daniels Compared All You Need to Know, 8 Best Holiday Gifts for the Whiskey Lover in your Life, Macallan 12 is spicy, chocolaty, nutty, and heavy on caramel, whereas, Macallan 12 is around $60, whereas Macallan 18 is around $260. The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. The former introduces those sweet components of caramel and vanilla during maturation. Loch Lomond The Macallan uses a specific type of barley called Minstrel that is exclusive to their distillery. Its palate is marked by the presence of sweet raisin and barrel spice, ceding to a warming ginger and orange cream in the finish. A fancy dinner out youll regret later? Be distilled, produced, matured, and bottled all in Scotland, Be aged for a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels, Have the maturation and bottle years marked on the bottle. It ranges around $260 in most of New York City, and Ive found it upwards of $280 in some stores. Now for the part, youve been waiting for! Royal Brackla Most casks are seasoned with spicy sherry which imparts all that spice and fruit into the maturing scotch. It delicious, but their Rare Cask is better (my opinion) and less expensive. I am not a single malt Scotch expert, but once I tried Macallen 12 year sherry cask, i was hooked. - Overall experience +++ Sherry. Part two of the distillation occurs in a spirit still, which further purifies and raises the alcohol level of the soon-to-be-scotch. Available for around $180. Was the initial just not good enough? That information will be held by us in accordance with our Privacy Policy No spam and entirely confidential. But my praise here comes with a warning. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old | Drizly Berry Bros. & Rudd Glenmorangie Where the head, heart, and tail are cut during the process is up to the master distiller. Macallan 12 is around $60, whereas Macallan 18 is around $260. Macallan 18 Sherry Oak vs Macallan 18 Double Cask Founded in 1824, the century-old Scotch whiskey manufacturer considers the Double Cask range the heart of their portfolio of single malts. Lagavulin A sherry bodega in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. This single malt from Scotlands famed and stunning Highlands is matured for 18 long years in two separate cask programs. Now that we have all that out of the way, lets actually dive in and see whats in the bottle. Was the original cask just not good enough to be bottled directly, and the distillery decided to give it another extra oomph in order to have it stand out? You may opt-out by. Sherry Oak 12 Years Old Sherry Oak 18 Years Old Sherry Oak 25 Years Old, 2018 Release Rich orange with hints of clove and nutmeg. Not my favorite Macallan. Your email address will not be published. Smooth sherry and fruity flavors make it taste like a much more expensive 21yo scotch. That's a promise. My first job in NYC was hosting several fine-dining establishments where I learned everything I could from bartenders and mixologists. There are various releases of this particular bottle, and may I warn you that they would be a little bit different. Speyside is located in Northeastern, Scotland and its single malts are highly regarded due to its creamy and smooth character with no trace of smoke making them easy to drink. Nikka The product of the copper pot still is a low alcohol, impure low-wine, which proceeds to part two of the distillation. 41% volume. Ardbeg The 12 DC gives me almost the same pleasure at much less cost. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Macallan is a darker, spicier twist on the classic Speyside. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with The Macallan. Macallan 18-year-old - Ratings and reviews - Whiskybase Enough with the talking, lets get to the review! More of the sherry, floral, and almost lemon zest citrus notes make their rounds in your mouth. Speyside is actually a subregion of The Highlands, which is why the label is allowed. Check Price I preferred Highland Park Ice Edition for the money. Did I leave the stove on? Occasionally, my whisky tasting sessions begin as early as 10am and The Macallan Double Cask range is my first choice to begin with because of its perfect balance of flavours. - Better nose for the Sherry. Watch theavid whisky lover answer 33 questions about whiskey here. More specifically, it is estimated that anywhere from 60-75% of a whiskys flavor is owed to the barrel. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. American oak (Quercus Alba) is characterized by denser grain than its European counterpart. Sherry seasoned American oak adds delicate vanilla to the subtle spice of European oak, delivering a whisky with a sweeter, warmer taste and character. If you have a Costco near you that sells alcohol, odds are good they may have plenty for you to buy. If you are looking for a luxury scotch we DEFINITELY recommend the Macallan 18. Glengoyne Through this site, I aim to share my knowledge and opinions on Whisky, Whiskey, Bourbon and other liquors, as well as provide tips on how to fully enjoy them. Highland Park The middle portion, the heart, is what goes on to maturation. Distillation is a two-step process that purifies the alcohol into something we can drink. I sure miss my Macallen sherry. I think that the DC is too sweet and lingers too long. Careful and subtle differences in production stretch all the way back into its early history and create a truly remarkable scotch. The Macallan's 15 and 18 Years Old Double Casks, Jeremy Lee, The Macallan Brand Ambassador, Shin Chang, architect, co-founder of REXKL and Botakliquour Bar, Scotland To Build Country's First Sake Brewery For Japanese Consumers, Chocha Foodstore's Menu Changes Under Chef Mui's Direction. The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old Review. A tale of two noses! Atom Supplies Limited, Unit 1 Ton Business Park, 2-8 Morley Road, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1RA, UK. The Macallan Double Cask 12 is created by utilizing a combination of American oak and sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks. Pleasant enough. The Macallan Sherry Oak Whisky - The Macallan Glenfiddich 21 Double Cask? Let's turn to the 18-year-old single malt now and first recognize the two distinct editions in this same-age release. Nose: Dried fruit, ginger and toffee. Please enter your details to make it easier for us to help you further. Scotch VS Scotch : Macallan 12 Double Cask vs Macallan 12 Sherry Im a big fan of Macallan and used to buy the 18 year old at $50 a bottle many years ago. Full-bodied and flavourful with a long balanced finish. Jura Single Malt vs. O.O. I will admit that I didnt have the two bottles in front of me, and I did not taste them side-by-side. The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old offers a slightly darker amber in its body. In the case of the Double Cask range, timber is sourced from the forests of northern Spain and the French Pyreneesalong with staves collected stateside in Ohio, Missouri, and Kentucky. Its full of subtle complexity and rich sweet flavor offset by a perfect level of spice. We Reviewed Macallan 18 Double Cask To See If It's Worth The Hype - UPROXX If you grab a bottle, let us know what you think! Yamazaki The only way it loses out from a perfect score is in that its a little well its a tad too refined and easy. Casks filled with sherry from Europe and America are shipped to the distillery, where they undergo years of ageing before the best spirits are selected and combined to create the Double Cask line. Back when it was only $150, I could imagine investing in a bottle for special occasions. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Now that I work in writing and development full-time, I continue my education in classes around the city and explore the newest whiskeys on the market. Sacramento (Arden) - Aisle 08, Right, Bay 02. So I wasnt surprised that Double Oak has more citrus notes when I purchased a bottle out of curiosity. - Jeremy Lee, The Macallan Brand Ambassador -. Have never looked at our heard of Westland. The Macallan Double Cask Whisky - The Macallan Please enter your date of birth. In 1892, Roderick Kemp took over the distillery and proved to be the defining contributor to Macallans success. (LogOut/ It was just not as luxurious as the Sherry Oak cask. Glenfarclas And every time that I tried it, I would recall all the wonderful notes I had cherished before it has a particular flavour of toffee and cloves with rich vanilla and, of course, gorgeous sherry. Lets look at each of the processes and find out. Im going to stick with the latter conclusion and may just go back there for another sip.]. And with those words, I will pause here and proclaim The Maccalan 18-year-old Sherry Oak as the winner of this round. They already have an 18 triple cask (fine oak) so with the success of the 12 DC, I could see an 18 DC in the future for sure! Being new to whisky I've been very curious as to how good this crazy popular brand really is. The finish is long, with notes of and sherry and just enough heat to remind you that you are sipping a fine malt. Monkey Shoulder Malt whisky must be 100 percent malted barley. This gives the whisky a truly rich and unique character. Like Like. Macallan Double Cask vs Sherry Oak: Which is better? Discover the differences between Macallan 12 Double Cask vs Macallan 12 Sherry Oak Cask and decide which single malt is better for You!