The Macallan 15 year Fine Oak Scotch Review

To me, The Macallan is one of the great scotch distilleries in the world, and in order to get to know the Macallan you really need to delve into their traditional sherry aged offerings.  I actually enjoy the Fine Oak series that is far easier to find around these parts, but they need a bit of time as the ten is very one-dimensional.  The 15 year is, to me, a great expression of the creamy style that Macallan built their reputation on, despite being aged in three separate barrel varieties.  The nose is new oak, sherry, dried fruit, brown sugar.  In the mouth I get that creamy flavor that everyone talks about, and the finish is really long and enjoyable.  This whisky manages to be ultra-smooth yet lasting and warming.  I love it.  If you're in SLC, you can also snag a dram of The Macallan 15 Fine Oak at The Wild Grape for a steal!  Score: 85

Glenfiddich 12, 15 and 18 Scotch Review

It is great when you have the opportunity to taste an entire range of age expressions from the same malt, all at once.  I don't often get this opportunity, but I attended an event hosted by Glenfiddich recently and took down some notes.  My conclusions are not exactly what I expected from this flight!

First the 12.  This dram gets a bad rap as it is a touch cheaper than the ubiquitous 12 year offering from The Glenlivet, but I think it has some characteristics that merit experiencing.  The nose is light and floral.  On the palate, I get pears and green apple. This whisky finishes crisp but does not linger.  Overall, I'd happily pour a dram for the new Scotch drinker as it is utterly unintimidating.  Score: 70.

The 15 is my favorite in this group, particularly given the value.  Glenfiddich uses the Solera vatting system to marry this Scotch - everything gets married in a large vat that never goes below half full.  So while the youngest whisky in the 15 year bottle is indeed 15 years old, I like to think I'm tasting a few notes, however diluted, from the additions made before my grandfather was born.  On the nose I get figs, brown sugar and dried fruit.  The palate is white chocolate, caramel and golden raisins.  The finish on this one is long and lingering - probably my favorite part!  Score: 83.

While the 15 takes the 12 to a very unique destination, 3 more years of age brings the Glenfiddich 18 back to a very standard 18 year old spry side expression. I still get dark fruit on the nose, but the 18 adds pepper into the palate and some more heat in the finish. It is no doubt a good whisky but for the substantial price bump I stick with the 15. Score: 78.