Discover everything about the Macallan 18 Double Cask in this in-depth review that answers all your related questions!
Macallan 18 Double Cask tasting notes: How does it taste?
| Nose | Dried fruit, nuts, orange, ginger |
| Palate | Sherry, honey, vanilla, oak |
| Finish | Medium, oak, sherry |
| Alcohol content | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| How to drink | Neat |
| Similar to | Glenfiddich 18, Glenlivet 18 |
The nose is incredibly pleasing, full of dried fruit, roasted nuts, orange and a tad of ginger.
On the palate, Macallan 18 offers a good mouthfeel as it has a good texture. Flavor is rich in sherry and honey at first, followed by vanilla and pleasant oak.
The finish is moderately long, with oak to it and more sherry and just a pleasant warming note coming late to the party.
Is it smoky?
No
Every release from Macallan, as most Speyside Whiskies, is free of smoke, peat and troubling tasting notes.
Is Macallan 18 Double Cask a good whisky?
Yes
Macallan 18 is a super smooth and yet complex malt with lots of depth. A subtle sherried flavor well balanced against oak and vanilla flavors.
It has a creamy body and a soft mouthfeel, with no harshness or alcohol burn making it incredibly easy to sip.
This is a whisky to drink neat as it does not have any off-putting note, such as peat, smoke, medicinal notes or any complicated flavor; this is just a smooth Whisky that goes down nicely.
Is it worth buying it?
I hate this question but it always arises so I’m obliged to answer.
Without a doubt this is a very good malt but I feel that I can get pretty much the same experience from the Macallan 15 Double Cask as it provides pretty much the same flavor at a huge price discount.
Is it chill-filtered?
Yes
Macallan chill-filters all of its drams.
Does it use caramel-colouring?
No
Macallan refrains from using artificial caramel-colouring in its whiskies which I deeply appreciate.
This practice is allowed by the set of rules that govern Scotch Whisky but I feel cheated knowing that the color has been artificially altered.
Macallan 18 Double Cask: aging
18 years
Aged for 18 years in both American and European sherry seasoned oak casks.
How to drink it?
Neat
This malt is supremely smooth so it doesn’t need water and much less ice as it goes down nicely.
Macallan 18 Double Cask: Alternatives
Macallan 18 Sherry Oak
The 18 Year Sherry Oak is a bit more pricey but well worth as it provides an even deeper and more complex experience as it hits with baking spice and chocolate notes that make it delicious.
There are other options such as the Glenlivet 18 that might not be as complex but is substantially cheaper and still make a very good dram.
Macallan 18 Double Cask: Price
Prices are approximate and stated in local currency:
| Country | Price |
| United States | $370 |
| Canada | $550 |
| Britain | £320 |
| Australia | $600 |
Macallan 18: Alcohol content
86 proof (43% ABV)
86 proof (43% ABV) is a bit low for my taste that usually craves for more punchy pours. But it seems to work fine to Macallan fans that privilege smoothness.
Does it expire?
Alcoholic beverages do not expire
It will last for years as long as you store it in a cool place and away from the sunlight.
I strongly suggest drinking it ASAP once the content is down to 25% as liquors start developing awkward notes past this level.
How is it made?
- After harvest, the barley is malted and mashed in one of the two mash tuns; this process takes up to eight hours.
- Barley is fermented with a specially cultured yeast before being distilled twice through copper-pot stills. The copper comprising the stills acts as a catalyst and enhances the formation of sweet esters while minimizing impurities such as sulfur. In addition, the particularly small stills produce a spirit with a heavy, oily body.
- Following distillation, distillers remove the heads and tails of the whisky and collect approximately 16% of the spirit to fill into casks for maturation. This CUT which is among the highest of any Scottish distillery, results in a more full-bodied, richer whisky and contributes to Macallan’s signature smoothness.
- Finally, it is aged for 18 years in both American and European sherry seasoned oak casks.
Macallan 18 Double Cask: Cheat Sheet
| Type of Whisky | Single Malt |
| Age statement | 18Y |
| Proof | 86 |
| ABV | 43% |
| Is it good? | Yes |
| Is it top-shelf? | Yes |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Sweet? | Moderately |
| Warm? | No |
| Peaty? | No |
| Good for beginners? | No |
| Good for cocktails? | No |
| Good with Coke? | No |
| Calories per shot | 108 |
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Keto-friendly | Yes |
| Kosher | No |
I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should!