Macallan Fine Oak 12 Year

Nose: Peach, orange zest, cereal, almonds, a rather fine sherry note and a little bit of vanilla. In the background a hint of spicy oak. Palate: The arrival is sweet and spicy, a combination of white grapes and barley sugar. More spicy notes appear in the development - mild ginger and sweet chili - together with sultanas and almonds. Malty cereal flavours build up supported by a clean oak presence. The body is light but creamy and very enjoyable. Finish: Fairly short, but satisfying. Malty and honey sweet. The slightest hint of bitter cacao right at the end accompanying lingering oak flavours, but this is countered by sweet sherry notes and a fresh minty presence. Crisp and clean, this is a nicely balanced and well-structured whisky. I was expecting something much more oak-heavy but instead the casks play a subtle supporting role. There is a definite oak foundation but the multiple casks are mainly providing balance and complexity of spice for the dominant character, which is cereal and fruit. Very pleasant, but just a little over-priced. If you can find it on special it's worth trying, but note that if it's the sherried profile of traditional Macallan that you like then this might not be to your taste. "Above Average" : 81/100 (3 stars)

Nose: Fruity, citric, orange, honey (maybe), vanilla, spiciness and something like freshly baked white cake. The ex-bourbon characteristics is evident. No alcohol perceptible. Palate: Sweetness, honey, malt, fresh oak, some bitterness and spiciness. Very very simple. Low alcohol perception. Overall impression: Soft and not a complex one, and some Macallan connoisseurs may strange this dram. The lack of complexity may be the lowest point in this whisky but its low ABV and drinkability may ease things to beginners

Way inferior to the 15yo, another typical macallan profile, maybe a little boring, but gets the job done. Bottled at 40% On the nose is your typical Macallan: Dulce de leche, chocolate, herbal, twix, toffee, burnt oak and sherry. On the palate it is a little bitter but smooth. Herbal, Toffee, Clove and Ashy notes. Finish is medium with clove and some ashes. Overall this is a normal dram maybe the most standard macallan you can buy, it is cheap (around $50). My score: 78 over 100.

Nose: vanilla, oak, burned rice pudding, salep Palate: sweet, well matured, smooth Finish: mid-long, like eating a milky pudding Overall: a very nice scotch, a typical highlander. I broke its points just for its price. “Turkish” Burun: vanilya, meşe, yanık sütlaç, sahlep Damak: adeta tatlı, alkol çok olgun; yakmıyor, kavurmuyor Bitiş: Orta uzun, sütlü tatlı yemiş gibi Genel: çok güzel bir iskoç, tipik bir highland viskisi. Kırılan puanlar yüksek fiyatı sebebi ile.

Fine oak = Triple barrel (American Oak/American Sherry and European Oak). A step away from the traditional all sherry barrel Macallan due to high demands. Light and Crisp nose Fruity with the sweet sherry flavor in the finish, with a medium finish. Hard to find and gone up in price with the Macallan new NAS whiskies! If you find it for a decent price get it!

The fine oak technique is from ages one of my favourite in whisky aging. The results of the triple cask maturation is in my opinion an outstanding mix of flavours that are always worth the taste. This can be used to craft wonderful (yet expensive) Rob Roys.