The Macallan 12 is a perfect example of a timeless Scotch whisky style that deserves a place in every home bar. A smokeless single malt whisky matured in sherry-infused casks from Spain, it is rich, full-bodied and scented with dried fruit and dark chocolate. Simply put, it is the perfect sipper as autumn begins to brighten and the days begin to shorten.
“If there is a classic sherry cask-aged Speysider, it is The Macallan 12,” says Hans Offringa, drinks expert and author of The Macallan 12. A Field Guide to WhiskeyAmong the many books on the subject.
Men's Journal aims to offer only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices are subject to change. If you purchase something through one of our links, we may earn a commission.
We’ve dug beneath the surface of this world-famous whisky (known by its full name, The Macallan 12 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask, or simply The Macallan 12), learning about its history, production process, and flavor profile. If you’re interested in more in-depth whisky reviews, check out our in-depth reviews of Johnnie Walker Blue Label or Maker’s Mark No. 46.
Want the latest whisky news, deals and reviews? Sign up for the Whisky Wednesday newsletter.
Related: I Tried Thousands of Whiskeys. This Affordable Bottle Is Perfect for Easy Sipping
Macallan 12 Overview
Courtesy Image
- Bottom line: The Macallan 12 Years Old Sherry Oak Cask is the cornerstone of the sherry style of single malt Scotch whisky.
- Medicine: Peat-free single malt Scotch whisky
- Evidence: 86 degrees, 43% ABV
- Age: At least 12 years
- Appearance: Rich gold
- Nose: Rich and chocolatey, dried orange peel, dried fruits, sherry, hazelnuts.
- The feeling it leaves in your mouth: Smooth and full, oily, full-bodied
- Taste: First sweet, then dry and tannic, with aromas of toasted Christmas cake, caramel and sherry
- To end: Long and warm
Macallan 12 Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
The classic example of sherry Speyside whisky |
It may be too rich for some |
|
Appeals to a wide audience |
High sherry influence not for everyone |
|
Widely available |
Heavy for sipping in hot weather |
|
Great for gift giving |
Macallan 12 Review
The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 was the first Scotch I ever tasted. This was back in the nineties, when the term “single malt” was still a pretty exotic term in the US. My godfather came to visit me when I was a teenager and was showing off a bit by bringing me a bottle of The Good Stuff as a gift.
I remember sneaking into the pantry, taking the bottle from the top shelf, and popping the cork—that felt fancy in itself. I took a whiff, then took a tiny taste of the bottle. It didn’t last more than a few drops on my tongue before I stepped back. But those few drops were my first memory of fine Scotch.
A few decades after my first cellar sip of The Macallan, when it came time to plan my bachelorette party, I hosted a whisky tasting for my closest friends. But still Really I knew that until I started writing.
To better understand The Macallan, and this statement in particular, I contacted The Macallan whisky producer Diane Stuart, who says casks are the most important ingredient.
“Up to 80 per cent of The Macallan’s distinctive flavours and aromas, and all of the whisky’s wonderful natural colour, come from our casks,” says Stuart.
The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old is part of the Sherry Oak Collection, which also includes 18, 25 and 30-year expressions. According to Stuart, the 12 “captures the brand’s overall classic taste,” including “flavor notes of dried fruit, oak spice and nutmeg, and a warming ginger finish.”
How to Drink Macallan 12
Most brands have a “no rules when it comes to our whiskey” message. And while it’s true that you should enjoy your whiskey however you want, it’s also nice to get some guidance before you pour your finely crafted Scotch into a glass of Diet Coke. The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 is rich, which makes it easy to sip on its own.
While Stuart voices his “no rules” attitude, he says that in his personal opinion, drinkers should drink whisky neat from a proper tasting glass, as this creates “a more intense tasting experience as the aromas are concentrated in the funnel-shaped neck of the glass.”
Stinson Carter
Stuart also suggests trying it in a cocktail like a maple old fashioned: “It's a twist on the classic [pairs] The sweetness and depth of Canadian maple syrup combines with the woody spice and dried fruit notes of Sherry Oak 12 Years Old, further demonstrating the drink's versatility.”
Offringa, who has been drinking The Macallan since the 1970s and therefore holds a special place in his heart, says there is no need for ice or water, especially when drinking it in autumn or early winter. The sherry's characteristics are particularly beautiful when there is a chill in the air.
How is Macallan 12 Year Old produced?
For decades, Macallan has forged alliances with sherry producers in Jerez de la Frontera, northern Spain. In 2023, they formed a partnership with Bodegas Grupo Estevez, which owns the Valdespino vineyards and bodega, which dates back to 1264. “Their investment and understanding of sherry-seasoned oak barrels has shaped our signature style and the quality and consistency that is synonymous with our brand,” says Stuart.
These alliances give The Macallan a high level of influence throughout the barrels’ lifespan. Starting with the raw materials, the brand’s barrels are made from both European and American oak.
“The European oak we source from the forests of northern Spain and the Pyrenees to southern France has a high tannin content, giving the whiskey deep gold and mahogany colors, as well as rich dried fruit and sweet spice flavors,” says Stuart. “The American oak we source from the forests of Ohio, Missouri and Kentucky has less tannin, giving the whiskey bright gold colors and aromas of vanilla, fresh fruit and coconut.”
The virgin casks are filled with sherry for 18 to 24 months, says Stuart: “This allows the sherry and wood to interact and create the perfect conditions for extracting flavour and colour from the casks during the maturation of the whisky.”
Getty Images
Meanwhile, the distillery produces the base liquid at its headquarters in Speyside, a sub-region of the Scottish Highlands. The Macallan uses smaller stills than other Scotch whisky distilleries, which is unique. Stuart explains that the smaller stills give the whisky optimum contact with the copper during distillation, which helps to concentrate the freshly made spirit (the clear liquid that is then placed in casks and matured) and creates the rich, powerful, fruity character for which The Macallan is known.
“The distinctive small size and shape of our short stills allows heavier oily vapours to rise easily during distillation and be captured as they condense, travelling down the still’s arm,” says Stuart.
Once the casks arrive in Speyside, they are filled with freshly brewed spirits and the wood begins to age the liquid. Stuart says most of The Macallan’s casks are “first fill”, meaning the freshly brewed spirit is the first liquid to touch the casks after the sherry. This way, the liquid extracts more colour and flavour from the casks during maturation.
History of Macallan 12
The Macallan has a 200-year history dating back to 1824 and is one of the original licences in Speyside, when many distillers in the area began to transition from illegal distilleries to legal operations.
The distillery was founded by barley farmer and school teacher Alexander Reid. The name itself comes from the original name of the area, 'Maghellen', derived from the Gaelic 'Magh' meaning fertile land, and the Rev. St. Fillan, who had a connection with a church on the site of the present Macallan Estate before 1400.
The name has changed slightly over the years, initially being called Elchies, then Macallan-Glenlivet. According to whisky expert Charlie MacLean, the distillery switched from blended malts to single malts in the 1970s, and in 1980 they dropped the Glenlivet stigma and began promoting their single malts.
The Macallan is owned by Edrington, a holding company that also owns Highland Park, The Glenrothes, Famous Grouse, Brugal rum and Wyoming Whiskey. According to the trust, the largest shareholder in Edrington is a charity called The Robertson Trust, Scotland’s largest independent charitable organization. The story behind it is pretty cool. Three unmarried sisters inherited The Macallan distillery and Highland Distillers from their father, and the youngest, ‘Miss Babs’, managed the day-to-day operations at The Macallan to great effect.
As the sisters grew and had to devise a succession plan not only for their business but also for their employees at a time when Scotland had an 80% death duty, they got creative. In 1961, they set up the Edrington holding company, named after the estate where the Robertson sisters lived together. They also set up a charity. They later donated their majority stake in the whisky holding company to the charity. The Robertson Trust, which is the unlikely majority owner of The Macallan, distributes £20m a year.
“When you buy a bottle of The Macallan, you are actually supporting a charitable cause,” says Hans Offringa.
If you liked the Macallan 12, you might also like…
Glendronach12
Courtesy Image
This sherry is matured in Highland single malt, Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry casks. If you like The Macallan Sherry Oak, Glendronach 12 is the perfect bottle to buy next, with the two sherry varieties adding distinct flavour notes.
Bunnahabhain 12
Courtesy Image
One of my all-time favourites, Bunnahabhain 12 is an unpeated Islay single malt whisky, matured mostly in sherry casks, with a stint in ex-bourbon casks. Matured on the Isle of Islay, the casks pick up marine notes from the nearby windy seas. The combination of the saltiness with the sherry flavour profile gives it an umami that’s hard to beat. At 46.3% ABV, it holds up well to ice dilution.
Dalmore 12 Sherry Cask Select
Courtesy Image
Finished in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, the sherry influence is distinct. It is a less dominant but still very distinct sherry aroma, making it a great transitional bottle for rye or bourbon lovers in cold weather. Dalmore 12 Sherry Cask Choose a particularly beautiful bottle to give as a gift, with the metallic stag head applied to the bottle.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve been writing about bars, cocktails, and spirits for 16 years, and before that I was a bartender at Hollywood’s legendary Chateau Marmont Hotel for over a decade. In some way, I’ve been working in the spirits industry since the turn of the millennium.
Scotch whisky holds a special place in my heart. To better understand this, I took three trips to Scotland, visiting distilleries in different whisky-producing regions and meeting and interviewing people who have dedicated their lives to making whisky.
Related: I've Tasted Thousands of Whiskeys. Every Home Bar Needs This Affordable Bourbon