Macallan 12 is a go-to for a lot of whisky lovers, however is it actually value £70 or $95?
It’s lengthy been praised for its polished Speyside character, with sherry-seasoned sweetness, dried fruits, and mild spice in a {smooth}, easy-drinking package deal. However as costs proceed to rise, increasingly more drinkers are asking whether or not the standard nonetheless matches the price. For a similar worth, and even much less, now you can discover whiskies providing extra age, larger energy, or simply as a lot complexity, many with critical awards behind them.
This checklist highlights seven alternate options that ship higher worth. Some are sherry bombs, others take a special route, however all are award-winning, extensively obtainable, and significantly value your time.
The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 12 months Outdated
Value: £45 UK / ~$60 US
Awards: Gold – Worldwide Spirits Problem 2020; over 11 main awards since launch
Easy, honeyed and endlessly drinkable, The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 is a longtime favorite for good motive. Aged first in ex-bourbon casks, then completed in first-fill Oloroso sherry wooden, it brings collectively mushy vanilla, light spice and delicate dried fruits in a superbly balanced dram.
It’s approachable with out being bland, making it ultimate for newcomers and seasoned drinkers alike. Usually beneficial as a primary single malt, it’s additionally one of many best-value Speyside whiskies round, at almost half the worth of Macallan 12, it’s a no brainer for day by day sipping.
GlenAllachie 15 12 months Outdated
Value: £65 UK / ~$120 US
Awards: Winner – Greatest Speyside Single Malt (13–20 years), World Whiskies Awards 2022
Wealthy, full-bodied and unapologetically daring, GlenAllachie 15 is a standout within the new wave of sherried Speyside malts. Matured in a mixture of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso casks, it delivers layers of darkish fruit, treacle, mocha and winter spice with a syrupy texture and lingering heat.
Non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV, it’s a critical dram that’s earned comparisons to a lot older Macallans. One reviewer on Reddit referred to as it “Macallan 18 depth at 12-year pricing” – they usually’re not fallacious. In case you’re after sherry richness with extra punch and maturity than Macallan 12, GlenAllachie 15 hits the mark.
Glenfarclas 15 12 months Outdated
Value: £75 UK / ~$90 US
Awards: 95 factors – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible; a number of gold medals throughout worldwide spirits competitions
A family-owned distillery with critical heritage, Glenfarclas is understood for its wealthy, closely sherried home type. The 15 12 months Outdated is a traditional of the style, dried fruits, toffee and a contact of smoke, delivered with a agency malt spine and bottled at a sturdy 46% ABV.
Critics typically cite its steadiness and depth. The Whisky Change calls it “gloriously sherried, candy, gently smoky,” whereas Reddit customers regularly checklist it as a wiser, extra complicated purchase than Macallan 12. With three additional years of age and the next energy, it presents extra whisky on your cash with out shedding class.
Glendronach 15 12 months Outdated “Revival”
Value: £70 UK / ~$110 US
Awards: Greatest in Present – San Francisco World Spirits Competitors 2020; a number of golds at IWSC and WWA
Matured in a mixture of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, GlenDronach 15 delivers a full-bodied blast of stewed fruits, darkish berries, nutmeg and oak spice. It’s non-chill filtered, bottled at 46% ABV and extensively thought to be one of many richest sherried malts in its class.
Usually praised by lovers as a extra intense and rewarding various to Macallan, one Reddit person referred to as it “the higher Macallan 12, with out the worth tag.” For followers of massive sherry flavour, this one is difficult to beat, highly effective, polished and award-winning.
Speyburn 18 12 months Outdated
Value: £88 UK / ~$130 US
Awards: Double Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competitors 2023; Gold – IWSC 2022
Speyburn 18 is without doubt one of the most underrated age-statement single malts in the marketplace. Matured in a mix of American and Spanish oak, it presents wealthy layers of toffee, darkish chocolate, citrus peel and a whisper of smoke, all delivered at 46% ABV with no chill-filtration.
Regardless of being six years older than Macallan 12, it sits in the identical worth bracket. Whisky followers on Reddit name it “a ringer to go toe-to-toe with older Macallans” due to its depth and construction. If you would like maturity with out paying a premium, this hidden gem is effectively value discovering.
Aberlour A’bunadh
Value: £80 UK / ~$100 US
Awards: Gold – World Whiskies Awards 2020; persistently ranked amongst prime cask-strength sherried malts
A’bunadh (Gaelic for “the unique”) is a cult traditional that delivers Oloroso sherry depth in its purest kind. Every batch is bottled at pure cask energy, typically round 60% ABV, with no chill-filtration or added color. Anticipate a rush of darkish fruit, spice, and oak with each sip.
It’s daring, wealthy and unapologetically highly effective, one thing Macallan 12 merely doesn’t try. A’bunadh has lengthy had a loyal following, and for good motive. In case you like your sherried whisky full throttle, that is the bottle to beat. It’s a private favorite for a lot of, and when you’re hooked, there’s no going again.
Chivas Regal 18 12 months Outdated (Blended Scotch)
Value: £60 UK / ~$80 US
Awards: Greatest Blended Scotch (18+) – IWSC 2015; a number of golds throughout worldwide competitions
Chivas 18 is a masterfully blended Scotch, constructed round Speyside single malts like Strathisla and Longmorn. It delivers wealthy layers of darkish chocolate, dried fruit and mushy smoke, with a velvety {smooth} texture that’s dangerously straightforward to sip.
Whereas it’s not a single malt, its 18-year age assertion and constant high quality make it a discount compared to Macallan 12. I loved on just a few too many on a Speyside journey again in 2022, and it’s straightforward to see why. That is elegant, understated luxurious at a particularly reasonable worth.
You don’t should spend large, or default to the apparent, to get pleasure from a wealthy, rewarding dram. Whether or not you’re chasing daring sherry bombs, mature malts, or one thing silky-smooth for on a regular basis sipping, every of those whiskies presents higher worth than Macallan 12 with out chopping corners.
Acquired a go-to various? We’d love to listen to what’s in your glass.
