Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 02:07 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.
Discover the contrasts of Macallan 12 Sherry Oak vs Oban 14 in my thorough comparison and select 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
Macallan 12 Sherry Oak vs Oban 14: Comparison
Macallan Sherry Oak: Vanilla and dried fruit lead, with a smooth, creamy taste and a long, sherry-infused finish. Sip with water for warmth.
Oban 14: Smoky with ripe fruit and baking spices, offering a creamy taste and a long, warming finish. Best enjoyed with water for subtle smokiness.
Verdict: Macallan Sherry Oak shines with its rich, vanilla sweetness, while Oban 14 offers a smoky, complex alternative. Both provide a satisfying, long finish, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Top Sherry Cask Aged Whiskies
Macallan Sherry Oak: Rich & Smooth Sherry Treat
- Nose: Vanilla, dried fruit, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, dried fruit, oak, prune
- Finish: Oak, sherry
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Glenfiddich Sherry Cask
Macallan Sherry Oak entices the nose with a dominant aroma of vanilla, delicately intertwined with hints of dried fruit and oak. The palate welcomes you with a creamy texture and a warm, sweet first sip.
The flavor is a delightful blend of vanilla, dried fruit (including prune), gentle oak, and a touch of spicy ginger and nutmeg. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving lingering sherry notes and a subtle warming sensation, reminding you it’s a true Scotch.
Key points:
- Rich and complex flavor profile with dominant vanilla and dried fruit notes.
- Smooth and creamy texture with a warming sensation.
- Long, satisfying finish with lingering sherry notes.
- Considered one of the best 12-year-old Scotches, but pricier than some.
Macallan Distillery Facts:
- Founded in 1824 in Scotland.
- Part of the Edrington Group, which owns Highland Park, Glenrothes, and Famous Grouse.
- Uncolored whisky aged in hand-picked Oloroso Sherry casks.
Oban 14: Smoky Delight for Beginners
- Nose: Ripe fruit, orange peel, smoke
- Palate: Dried fruit, pear, apple, cinnamon
- Finish: Long, oak, baking spice, salt
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Talisker 10
Oban 14 opens with a captivating aroma of ripe fruit, smoke, and a hint of citrus peel. The first sip reveals a creamy texture and a complex flavor profile featuring dried fruit, apple, pear, and subtle smoke, all balanced with warming baking spices.
The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering warmth and aftertaste of oak, spices, and a touch of minerality.
Key points:
- Milder smokiness compared to Islay whiskies, perfect for beginners.
- Complex flavor profile with dried fruit, apple, pear, and baking spices.
- Long, satisfying finish with lingering warmth and subtle smokiness.
- Great choice for those who enjoy a subtle smoky undertone.
Oban Distillery Facts:
- Founded in 1794 in the Scottish town of Oban.
- Small distillery with only two pot stills.
- Oban 14 ages in ex-bourbon barrels and has won a Gold Medal.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Macallan 12 Sherry Oak | $90 |
| Oban 14 | $95 |