Category - Spirits
My Favorite Cheap Scotch Is Almost Half the Cost of The Macallan—But Just as Good
During almost two decades of writing about alcohol, I've spent a lot of time in Scotland. I've visited countless renowned Scotch whisky distilleries from the Lowlands to the Highlands to Islay and everywhere in between.
In that time, I've lost count of the number of drams of nuanced, award-winning whisky I've been lucky enough to sample. With all that sampling, I can understand the appeal of well-known brands like Lagavulin, The Glenlivet, and The Macallan—specifically, the latter.
There's no disputing the appeal of The Macallan. One of the most famous Scotch whisky brands, it's known for flavorful, balanced, and complex single malt whiskies, which are often matured or finished in sherry-seasoned barrels. I have a few bottles on my home bar, including wildly popular The Macallan 12-Year Double Cask.
This memorable single malt whisky got its name because it was matured in American and European oak sherry-seasoned casks. While you can't go wrong with a dram of this exceptionally balanced sipping whisky, with its notes of candied orange peels, sweet sherry, chocolate, oak, and gentle spices, it will set you back almost $80.
But, as great as The Macallan 12 Double Cask is, there's another exceptional sherry-centric single malt whisky you can add to your home bar for half the price. If you've never tried Tomatin 12 Bourbon and Sherry Cask, now is the time to grab this epic bottle while you can still find it for under $50.
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Although it has the same age statement as The Macallan 12 Double Cask, Tomatin 12 Bourbon and Sherry Cask is aged differently. Instead of American and European sherry-seasoned casks, this single malt whisky was matured in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and sherry casks sourced from Jalisco, Spain.
The complex single malt whisky is known for its nose of orchard fruits, dried fruits, cinnamon, dark chocolate, sticky toffee pudding, heather, and oak. Sipping it reveals notes of candied orange peels, oak, dried fruits, and gentle winter spices. The finish is a mix of tropical fruits, citrus peels, and charred oak.
Tomatin 12 Bourbon and Sherry Cask is the type of single malt whisky you'll want to add to your home bar to sip neat or with a splash or two of water to open up the aromas and flavors. But because it's inexpensive, you won't feel bad about using it as the base for your favorite cocktails. The flavors work well in a classic Scotch and soda, rusty nail, and Scotch versions of a Manhattan or old fashioned.
Now, I'm not here to tell you not to drink The Macallan 12 Double Cask, any other expression from The Macallan, or other famous sherry-finished single malts. Just know that there are less expensive but equally noteworthy single malt whiskies out there waiting to be discovered.
I love Tomatin 12 Bourbon and Sherry Cask. And while the price is right, that's not why I love it. The single malt whisky is as versatile as Scotch whiskies get. It's an everyday sipper, a rainy day mixer, and everything in between. Buy it once, and it will remain a permanent member of your liquor cabinet or home bar cart. Go out and buy a bottle today. Crack it open and pour yourself a dram. If you're a fan of sherried or bourbon matured Scotch, you'll be glad you bought a bottle of this memorable expression.
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