Last Updated on: 3rd May 2024, 12:34 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Written by: J Highland
With the assistance of Scotch expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have assembled a list of similar whiskies to Macallan and some alternatives to consider.
Choosing the Best Alternatives to Macallan
Sherry Sweetness:
- GlenDronach 12 (rich toffee, honey, apple, smooth)
- Tamdhu 12 (dried fruit, chocolate, fair price)
Spicy & Rich:
- Aberlour 12 (raisin, baking spice, charred oak, creamy)
Smooth Speyside:
- Glengoyne 12 (unpeated, honey, apples, creamy)
Fruity Delight:
- Glenallachie 12 (banana, caramel, chocolate, smooth)
With a Kiss of Smoke:
- Bunnahabhain 12 (light smoke, sherry, red fruit, creamy)
Classic Speyside (Skip the Fancy Box):
- Tamdhu 12 (smooth, dried fruit, oak spice)
Bold Oak & Spice:
- Macallan 12 Double Cask (sherried, oaky finish)
Beyond 12 Years: (Consider these for a more complex experience)
- Glenfarclas 12 (sherried, beginner-friendly)
- Mortlach 12 (orchard fruit, baking spice, nutty)
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Quick Look at Similar Whiskies to Macallan 12
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price | ABV |
| Macallan 12 Double Cask | $68 | 43% |
| Aberlour 12 | $64 | 40% |
| Glenfarclas 12 | $62 | 43% |
| Mortlach 12 | $60 | 43% |
| Glenallachie 12 | $76 | 46% |
| GlenDronach 12 | $47 | 40% |
| Glengoyne 12 | $66 | 43% |
| Tamdhu 12 | $80 | 43% |
| Bunnahabhain 12 | $70 | 40% |
| Glenlivet 12 | $30 | 40% |
| Glenfiddich 12 | $36 | 40% |
Aberlour 12: Rich & Spicy Speyside Dram
- Nose: Raisins, baking spice, charred oak
- Palate: Caramel, spice, nutmeg, charred oak
- Finish: Chocolate, cinnamon, charred oak
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Aberlour 12 isn’t your average Speyside. It packs a punch with a nose of raisin, spice, and charred oak. The taste is creamy and balanced, with caramel, nutmeg, and oak. The finish lingers with chocolate, spice, and oak. Water brings out the caramel but intensifies the oak. Don’t be fooled by the burnt oak – it’s smooth and easy to sip. Plus, the bottle is a looker!
Glenfarclas 12: Sherried Delight for Beginners
- Nose: Raisins, baking spice, charred oak
- Palate: Caramel, spice, nutmeg, charred oak
- Finish: Chocolate, cinnamon, charred oak
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Sweet sherry dominates Glenfarclas 12’s nose, with hints of honey, barley, and a touch of alcohol. The taste is creamy and smooth, offering banana bread, butter, vanilla, and caramel balanced by a touch of oak spice. The finish is short and warming, with citrus and lingering oak.
Ideal for new Scotch drinkers who enjoy sherry notes, this 12-year-old single malt is well-rounded, easy to sip, and a great intro to sherried whiskies, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Tamdhu 12: Smooth Sherry Speyside Dram (Skip the Fancy Box!)
- Nose: Banana, sultana, hazelnut, sherry
- Palate: Dried fruit, chocolate, baking spice, oak spice
- Finish: Medium, dried fruit, vanilla, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Don’t judge a book (or whisky) by its cover! Tamdhu 12 hides behind a fancy box, but the whisky itself is a delight. Expect a nose of banana, nuts, sherry, and a hint of raisin. The taste is smooth and complex with dried fruit, chocolate, spice, and subtle oak. The finish is decent, lingering with fruit and vanilla.
While not the most mind-blowing whisky, Tamdhu 12 offers a step up from your average 12-year-old Speyside at a fair price. It’s a great choice for a relaxing sip and embodies the classic Speyside sherry style.
Glenallachie 12: A Speyside Superstar
- Nose: Banana, almond, oak
- Palate: Banana, caramel, raisins, chocolate
- Finish: Medium, oak, chocolate
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glenallachie 12 punches above its weight. Don’t be fooled by its high alcohol content – it’s surprisingly smooth! Expect a delightful nose of banana, almond, and oak. The taste is creamy and honeyed, bursting with banana, caramel, raisin, and chocolate. The finish lingers with oak spice, chocolate, and a gentle warmth. Adding a touch of water unlocks even more complexity and sweetness.
This gorgeous Speyside dram is a contender for the best 12-year single malt out there, offering smooth sipping with a knockout flavor profile.
GlenDronach 12: A Rich Sherry Dram
- Nose: Caramel, honey, apple
- Palate: Vanilla, caramel dried fruit
- Finish: Oak, dried fruit, sherry
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
GlenDronach 12 offers a delicious alternative to Macallan 12. Aged in sherry casks, it boasts a rich nose of toffee, honey, and apple. The creamy palate explodes with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit, all balanced by a long, smooth finish hinting at oak, sherry, and more dried fruits. This is a delightful dram for sipping neat – no water or ice needed – thanks to its smooth texture and well-rounded sweetness from the sherry casks.
Glengoyne 12: Smooth & Sweet Unpeated Dram
- Nose: Toasted barley, apples, honey
- Palate: Caramel, sherry, oak, vanilla
- Finish: Long, coffee, vanilla, oak
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glengoyne 12 stands out for its unique smokeless character. Unlike many Scotch whiskies, it uses unpeated barley for a refreshingly clean flavor.
The nose offers honey, toasted barley, and fresh apples. The taste is creamy and full-bodied with caramel, sherry, oak, and vanilla, all balanced by a touch of spice. The finish lingers with coffee, vanilla, and oak.
It’s a well-rounded and easy-drinking dram. Its smooth sweetness makes it a great choice for all palates, perfect for any occasion.
Bunnahabhain 12: Surprisingly Unsmoky Islay
- Nose: Light smoke, raisin, prune, cocoa
- Palate: Sherry, red fruit, oak spice
- Finish: Medium, nutty, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Forget the smoke! Bunnahabhain 12 is an anomaly on Islay, known for its peaty whiskies. This one leans more Speyside, like Macallan. Expect a gentle smoky nose with fruit and chocolate. The taste is creamy and sweet, with sherry, red fruit, oak spice, and a nutty finish. A touch of water makes it even smoother. Great for those new to smoky whiskies, but add some water to tame the oak spice.
Mortlach 12: Speyside with a Twist
- Nose: Caramel, vanilla, orchard fruits, almond, oak
- Palate: Orchard fruits, baking spice, roasted nuts, orange
- Finish: Medium, baking spice, caramel
- Alcohol content: 87 proof (43.4% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Mortlach 12 offers a classic Speyside experience with a unique touch. Expect a nose of apple, pear, caramel, vanilla, and nuttiness. The taste is full-bodied with apple, pear, baking spice, roasted nuts, and a hint of orange. The finish lingers with spice, caramel, and warmth.
Mortlach showcases the best of Speyside with a touch of funky charm. At a good price point, it’s a great introduction to this intriguing brand.
Macallan 12 Double Cask: Sherry Influence for Speyside Fans
- Nose: Sherry, dried fruit, mixed nuts
- Palate: Baking spice, oak, chocolate
- Finish: Oak, dried fruit, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Macallan 12 Double Cask offers a twist on the classic Speyside dram. Expect a rich nose of sherry, dried fruit, and oak. The taste is bold, with oak upfront followed by chocolate, sherry, and orange. It has a pleasant warmth and a long oaky finish with dried fruit.
This flavorful whisky offers subtle sweetness, chocolate, and spice, but the oak may be strong for some. It’s a good intro to sherry-matured Scotch for those who prefer less sweetness.
Learn more: Macallan 12 Website
Criteria for Selecting Macallan-like Whiskies:
- Flavor Profile: Whiskies featuring notes of dried fruits, prunes, and dates.
- Smoothness: A smooth drinking experience similar to Macallan’s renowned velvety texture.
- Maturity and Aging: Whiskies aged in similar casks or under conditions that emulate Macallan’s aging process.
- Price Point Diversity: A range of whiskies that cater to various budgets, from affordable to premium.
- Consumer Reviews and Ratings: Whiskies that have been well-received by other enthusiasts seeking Macallan-like characteristics.
- Production Techniques: Preference for whiskies that employ production methods similar to Macallan, enhancing the chances of a comparable flavor profile.