A saying goes, “age always goes before beauty.” Nowhere is this more true than when talking about scotch. The longer a scotch is aged in oak barrels, the higher quality of the scotch and the more delightful the notes and flavor.
There are many distilleries worldwide, but the Macallan distillery is known for producing some of the best and oldest scotches on the market.
Macallan produces many different scotch whiskeys at various price points. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which bottle is genuinely worth its hefty price tag. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our top picks for the best Macallan Scotch Whiskey.
Please keep reading to learn about the rich history of the Macallan distillery and our picks for the best Macallan scotch whiskey.
The History of Macallan
The Macallan distillery was founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, a farmer who decided to venture into the world of whisky production. The distillery quickly gained popularity and began exporting its whisky globally, including in America and Japan.
Macallan is known for its use of sherry oak barrels for aging its whisky, which imparts rich flavors of dried fruits and spices. The distillery purchases more sherry oak casks than any other distillery worldwide.
In 1986, Macallan released its first “Fine & Rare” bottling, featuring vintage scotches aged 25 years. This release set a precedent for Macallan’s focus on aging and releasing older scotch, making them known as one of the best producers of aged scotch whiskey.
The Best Macallan Scotch Whiskey
These are our selections for the best Macallan Scotch Whiskey. Each of these bottles brings something unique to the table that you cannot find anywhere else.
The Macallan Rare Cask
The Macallan Rare Cask Whisky is an iconic offering from the distillery. The purpose of this release is to demonstrate the knowledge, expertise, and desire of the Macallan team. This scotch is aged in hand-picked sherry oak casks, giving the scotch a deep and complex flavor profile that is unmatched. Additionally, the sherry oak casks give this scotch a delightfully smooth finish.
The nose of this scotch gives you notes of vanilla, apples, and citrus fruits. On the tongue, you can pick up flavors of chocolate and vanilla, and the smooth finish will leave you wanting more.
The Macallan Double Cask 15 Year
If you’re looking for a Macallan scotch with a slightly more affordable price point, the Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old is a fantastic option. This scotch is aged in American and European sherry oak casks, giving it unique flavor notes not found in other Macallan offerings.
You’ll get cinnamon, dried fruits, and oak notes on the nose. The palate brings hazelnut and toffee flavors with a smooth and slightly sweet finish. One of the more exciting features of this scotch is that the first taste gives you a peppery sensation. This sensation quickly dissipates as the scotch breathes.
This scotch is one of the best 15-year scotches on the market and a fantastic choice for any whiskey lover.
The Macallan Estate Single Malt
For fans of single malt scotch, The Macallan Estate Single Malt is a must-try. This scotch is made from 100% estate-grown barley and aged in sherry oak casks for 18 years. The distillery released this offering to honor the history and culture of the distillery.
The barely used to produce the Macallan Estate is grown on a neighboring estate. The distillery makes this release just one week per year. As a result, it is exceedingly rare and expensive.
The nose of this scotch has notes of spice and cinnamon, along with secondary ones of tropical and dried fruit. The palate is similar to the nose, but the oak and spice take center stage. Like all Macallan scotches, the finish is smooth. The estate’s slightly citrusy finish sets it apart from other Macallan offerings. This scotch is worth the splurge if you can get your hands on it.
The Macallan M 2022
The Macallan M, 2022 Release is perhaps the best Macallan scotch whiskey. It is undoubtedly one of the most expensive. The scotch is aged in sherry oak casks for 22 years, creating a complex and unique flavor profile.
The nose has notes of dried fruits, vanilla, and cinnamon. You’ll experience dark chocolate, pear, and white peach flavors on the palate. The finish is smooth and lingers on the tongue with hints of oak and spice.
This scotch is perfect for special occasions or as a gift for a whiskey lover. It’s worth every penny, but unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to find on the market due to its rarity and high demand.
The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Whisky
If you’re looking for a Macallan scotch with a more affordable price point, the 12-year Sherry Oak Single Malt is a fantastic option. This scotch is aged in sherry oak casks for 12 years, giving it complex flavor notes and an incredibly smooth finish.
The nose of this Macallan scotch evokes feelings of a warm fire on a cold night, along with a tinge of vanilla. The flavors are exquisite and have notes of fruits, oak, and cinnamon. The smooth finish leaves you with tastes of dried fruit and oak.
This offering from Macallan should be a staple of your home bar. It is the perfect scotch to sip while unwinding from a long day or sharing with your friends over a friendly dinner.
The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old
The Macallan Double Cask 30 Year is a must-try for the whiskey connoisseur. This scotch is aged in American and European sherry oak casks for 30 years, infusing it with unique flavors not found in other Macallan offerings.
The nose has notes of dried fruits and spices, with secondary hints of oak. The palate is smooth, with flavors of toffee and dried fruits. The finish lingers on the tongue with notes of spice and oak.
This scotch is perfect for special occasions or as a gift for a whiskey lover. It’s worth every penny.
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