Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 01:37 pm
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.
In my detailed analysis, explore variations between Glenlivet 12 and Macallan 12, and determine your preferred Single Malt!
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.
Written by: J Highland
Glenlivet vs Macallan: Comparison
Glenlivet 12 and Macallan 12 are both prominent single-malt Scotch whiskies with distinct characteristics and aging processes that appeal to different preferences within the whisky community.
- Glenlivet 12 is celebrated for its smooth and accessible profile, making it an ideal choice for those new to single malt Scotch. It primarily matures in ex-bourbon and European oak casks, which contributes to its straightforward and approachable taste.
- Macallan 12 is recognized for its rich and complex flavors, resulting from the maturation in a unique combination of American and European oak casks seasoned with sherry. This process provides a layered experience, emphasizing sherry influence and oak notes.
Verdict:
- Glenlivet 12 offers an exceptionally smooth and accessible entry into single malt Scotch, preferred for its simplicity and suitability for newcomers. Its profile is straightforward, emphasizing vanilla and honey notes without the complexity found in more robust whiskies.
- Macallan 12 Double Cask stands out for those seeking a whisky with great depth, warmth, and a pronounced sherry influence. The price point is higher, reflecting the maturation process and the layered taste experience it provides. This whisky is tailored for seasoned enthusiasts and those wishing to explore the nuanced interplay of sherry and oak flavors in Scotch.
The choice between Glenlivet 12 and Macallan 12 Double Cask depends on individual taste preferences, the desired complexity in flavor, and budget considerations, with each offering a unique approach to Scotch whisky, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Best value 12-year scotch whiskies
Glenlivet 12:
- Nose: Offers aromas of toasted cereal, honey, and pear.
- Palate: Delivers flavors of vanilla and ripe fruit.
- Finish: Concludes with a short presence of honey and vanilla.
- Alcohol Content: 80 proof (40% ABV).
- Recommended Consumption: Best enjoyed neat.
- Awards: Gold at the International Spirits Challenge.
- Distillery Background: Utilizes wooden washbacks for fermentation, leading in sales within the United States.
Macallan 12 Double Cask:
- Nose: Characterized by sherry, dried fruit, and mixed nuts.
- Palate: Features baking spice, oak, and chocolate.
- Finish: Ends with notes of oak, dried fruit, and oak spice.
- Alcohol Content: 86 proof (43% ABV).
- Recommended Consumption: Improved with the addition of water.
- Awards: Double Gold Medal at the SF World Spirits Competition in 2017.
- Distillery Background: Established in 1824 in Craigellachie, Moray, Scotland, with a commitment to sherry cask maturation.
Price Comparison:
- Glenlivet 12 is approximately priced at $33.
- Macallan 12 Double Cask is around $69.