My choice for this week is Macallan 12 - a single malt in the grand tradition of sherry casks from Jerez, Spain. Macallan is one of the oldest Scotch names, harkening back 300 years in the region of Speyside. There are other speysides, but none quite so well known. Now this is a scotch. A pale burnt umber color, and a nose that stays with you, shades of the sherry cask and a bit of spice. Not really peaty, still quite pleasant. Macallan lingers on the tongue for a few seconds, reminding you that yes, this is a Scotch. After the liquor makes it way down your throat you can feel the aroma rise up the roof of your mouth.
The taste itself is subtle but striking, hints of the sherry cask, malty, and even a bit sweet.
I would buy more. A good choice to watch a fire with. Or create one. Definitely a scotch for the winter.
The Macallan 12 year
ReplyDeleteColor: dark amber
Legs: strong legs
Nose: definitely some smokiness to the nose, with some warm buttery sweetness
Taste: a nice rich smokiness, with the creaminess coming at the end
The finish is long and pleasant.
Much more taste than the previous 3. The smokiness is not a hint, but right there at the fore. There is more to the nose and the taste than I am describing, but I cannot quite identify the flavors. Maybe some fruit? Brown sugar? Waffle run off (in a very good way)? Again, a drop of water seems to help, but the change is not as dramatic as with the Glenlivets. I could enjoy this either way, and in fact, I did.
For me, this is a clear winner over all the Glenlivets. To the point where I feel I was a little kind towards them with my previous reviews. My biggest complaint is I had to share my 50 ml bottle with my dad who forgot his. Great to have dad, bummer that there is less for me to drink.
Macallan 12: 1st sip, the whisky overpowers the alcohol and keeps on a tastin’. Good…. 2nd sip good and spicey. Almost gingerish. This one keeps on going. Almost a bit of brown sugar on the 3rd sip! Very nice for a 12. A turn towards a hint of molassas on the 4th sip. Dare I add a drop of water? I must. There’s cream. Forget the Glenlivet. I can’t wait to compare with the 18. You guys will have to trust me on this.
ReplyDeleteA day late, but at least not a whisky short...
ReplyDeleteDang, this one draws a line in the sand and then kicks it all over the Glenlivets. Let my father and brothers wax on about spices and legs and what not, drinking good whisky is about how it makes you feel, and this one makes you feel darn good.
As is my practice, I have a small amount of Glenlivet 12 for comparison, and it's like a scoop of vanilla ice cream next to a full on banana split.The good news is, there are less calories in a glass of this than the b-split...
4 down, and this one reigns supreme so far. Hum, now the problem is figuring out how to get a full size bottle of this to use as my yardstick. Did I mention it is my 50th b-day in a few days... ;>)
This scotch is one of my favorites, but I admittedly prefer a scotch that isn't all about the smoke. This one is much more nuanced than many.
ReplyDelete