The core expression of Oban, Oban 14 Year Old, is a scotch whisky that has been aged for 14 years. []. Michter's Single Barrel Rye. More recently, the Stevenson brothers John and Hugh opened the Oban Distillery in the remote Hebrides shore in 1794. 4.7 out of 5 stars. We have already looked at Red and Black Label, Youve got questions about whiskies from Speyside and Islay. Then the Macallan 15 or Glenfarclas 15 (for presumably the most sherry, depends again on which edition). Oban Little Bay feels a bit warmer than Oban 14, while providing more smoke but still quite moderate when compared to smoke-bombs like Ardbeg or Laphroaig. Add to Cart. They also use first-fill for many of their bottles, which means these barrels have to be made fresh. The Macallan distillery prides itself on impressively high quality. But whether you consider yourself a bourbon geek, whiskey snob, or are, Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace might not be the first two brand names you think to put side-by-side in a matchup. These are the rich, sweet, heavily sherried versions with a bit of spice and caramel. DALMORE 12 yrs 12 . In this post, well look at their flavor profiles and everything that comes along with them including history, fermentation, distillation, maturation, ownership and more. Glenmorangie Signet: Overall best whisky; Macallan 12 Year Double Cask: Best value whisky; Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Best tasting whisky; Oban Distillers Edition Single Malt: Best sipping whisky; Bowmore Islay: Best single malt Scotch whisky; Buchanan's 12 Year Scotch: Best blended whisky; Highland Park 12 Year Old: Best whisky for the money It is closest to the Highland/Speyside style and is full of rich caramel, vanilla, and hot spice notes. Thats proof of its reputation even today! Oak is lessened. This matchup is between two of the most recognizable names in single malt whisky. The Macallan's own 25 Year Old Sherry Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky sells for $1500. Well take a deep dive into what scotch is and how it compares and contrasts with whiskies and other distilled spirits the world over. Courvoisier Vs $ 14. Online, there is a lot of information about these two scotch whisky regions and the production techniques associated with, None more black If youve graduated from Johnnie Walker Red Label and want to see whats in store in the rest of the lineup, this post is the next step in your education. Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or. Opens soft on the palate . The Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business) Gold Outstanding. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. . If youve made it this far, chances are youve graduated from the standard introductory brands and are ready to indulge in some Premium and Ultra-Premium single malt scotch expressions. Oban is one of the 200 brands in London-based Diageo and a contributor to Johnnie Walker's blended whiskies. . Lagavulin 16 vs Oban 14: Which Single Malt Wins? We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. It doesn't quite scale the heights of top-tier Highland malts such as the 18 . And both are well respected by seasoned drinkers throughout the American bourbon, What if we told you that Knob Creek was Jim Beam? Oban 14 vs Oban 18: Which Single Malt Wins? The Johnnie Walker portfolio includes a color-coded range that is widely available and globally distributed. Of course Macallan 12 is hardly the only option. The respective black and, Today, we look at two elusive bottles of bourbon that are much sought after by those in the know. I am going to go through the Super Clusters in the order I recommend when hosting a whisky tasting. Together with Glenlivet and Glenfiddich, Macallan makes up ? A little higher proof. Mellow Corn Bottled In Bond. You can find her perfecting a roast chicken recipe, hunting down a new bottle of scotch, or hosting a wine and cheese soire somewhere in New York. Flavor hits with dried fruit at first, followed by pear and apple shrouded in baking . The wort is transferred to washbacks and combined with yeast. Scotch Whisky/43% ABV/ScotlandTwelve years in Oloroso Sherry-seasoned oak casks have delivered an exquisitely rich and complex flavor profile full of dried fruit, opulent vanilla and warm spice. Or, is scotch whisky? As with most single malts, it's meant for sipping, not mixing, though it makes for a terrific scotch sour if you're so inclined. Between them, they boast, Aged a little older. And the entire plant is operated by a production crew of only seven people. Oban ages for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels. Oban 14 Yr (90 cal.) Oban 18 Year. And at home, Crown Royal is Americas best-selling Canadian whisky, followed by Black Velvet, Canadian Club and Canadian Mist comes in at No. Perfect. Regardless of the outcome in this pairing, a bottle of the 12-year-old, the 18-year-old, and yes, even that 21-year-old, all deserve a space on your bar shelves. (More on that later). From the very beginning of this. I don't intend for anyone to accept this as the word of the lord god I will interpret the question to refer to the reputations of the brands, and not assume any par. The Mac 15 Triple comes swinging into the scene at more than double the price of the 12 Double and brings with it ex-bourbon casks compared to the all sherry-seasoned casks in the Macallan 12 Double Cask.That sherried profile is what people have come to expect and what has made Macallan the name that it is but those good old sherry casks are hard to find, especially at the volume folks like . Many whiskies may be described as smoky. But if you hear someone describe a smoky scotch whisky with medicinal, It was a favorite of Irish writer James Joyce among other famous Irish bards and continues to be a favorite of whiskey enthusiasts across the globe. Balvenie 17 Doublewood Review: Will You Like It? 12 Yr Balvenie $ 26. So if you are fond of this liquor and want to add a tad of smoke Oban is a no-brainer. 2-selling brands of Tennessee whiskey in the world. Consider this post your scotch whisky 101 course. The wash is transferred to copper pot stills and heated to allow the alcohol to separate as vapor. . Welcome to the big leagues. Oban 2008 12-Year-Old Special Releases 2021. . Macallan Is an O.G. Hi Larry, I would say the DoubleWood for sure, then the Lasanta (cheaper than Macallan), and then the Highland Park so you have something (somewhat) peated. This is the type of whisky that I drink neat or rocks using large ice cubes as I dont like watering-down my drams. $25.00. 1.750.000 Ru Oban 14 nm 700 ml / 43%. Price Point. Jim Beam vs. Jack Daniels:There are no bigger names when it comes to American whiskey. Appearance: Oban 14-Year-Old is packaged in one of the whisky industry's most beautiful canisters, a cream-and-blue affair adorned with a gorgeous, evocative line drawing of sea birds resting on craggy cliffs. One an iconic bourbon, top-selling Jim Beam the most well-known name coming out of Kentucky. No wonder its pricey. Blends do Pub. This matchup between two of the most well-known peated scotches is one that any serious Islay fan should understand. This is a throwback to the character of many of the malts that came from the Island region. Oban 14 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. And yet Both brands are owned by the same company, produced at the same facilities, fermented with the, This might be considered fratricide Todays matchup is between two brands of whiskey that fall under the same family tree. The Macallan uses the smallest cut, only 16% of the entire distillate! 15 Yr Glenfiddich $ 28. The Oban 18 goes in the same range. Perhaps youve read descriptions posted to your whisky group. Best 12-Year -Old: The GlenDronach . Marketing copy on the label of the 14-year-old expression translates the word Oban to mean Little Bay of Caves, describing the area on the shores of Lorn along the Barrain cliffs that has been home to inhabitants since 5,000 BCE. Old Ballantruan "The Peated Malt" Royal Brackla 16 Year. The Best Whiskey to Mix with Coke. You might consider . It is undeniably good. Lagavulin 11 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Offerman Edition Balvenie 12 nm 700 ml / 40%. $25.00. Hot baking spice in the back palate. Home Whiskey Comparisons Oban 14 vs Macallan 12. Double Malt The Complex World of Scotch Designations. Macallan 12 Year Sherry Oak Cask. This single malt whisky was aged for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and you can tell as there are many bourbon-like notes in it. These products include (from low to high-cost): Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Platinum Label 18-Year-Old and Blue Label. There's no doubt it is a satisfying whisky and there's so much hype around Macallan that people are obviously paying for it. Jameson whiskey is the No. And in October of 2019, a 60-year bottle of The Macallan 1926 sold for 1.9 million dollars the highest recorded sale price of any bottle of scotch. Lets explore the nuanced usage of these terms. Now its time to take the next logical leap. Many casks are seasoned with sherry. Lingering spices. Strong oak. There are a few facts worth knowing about this whisky: The nose is rich in pear, along notes of honey and ripe guava and fig. The finish is long and pleasantly warm, leaving an aftertaste of oak, baking spice and salt. The Macallan 12 is technically designated as a single malt scotch, which is even more specific. So they have absolute control over all flavors that enter the scotch through maturation. My personal preference is The Macallan 12 Sherry Oak. They had a joke "If Kathryn comes to a party, you need a whiskey that's over $40." Order Courvoisier V.S. In many ways, Jim Beam vs Evan Williams is the ultimate bourbon heavyweight matchup. Macallan 12 Sherry Oak vs Oban 14: Which is better? Macallan Triple Cask 21 Year. GLENMORANGIE Signet 15 yrs 29 . The heart is transferred to oak barrels and aged for several years to several decades in a warehouse kept at specific low temperatures. Can the Johnnie Blue be better than those fine whiskys? 7. The 15 best whisky of 2023. GlenDronach Single Malt Scotch Whisky Original Aged 12 Years $72.14. The other, a premium bourbon with the signature wax seal a fan favorite among, In this American whiskey showdown, well take a look at two prominent Bourbon whiskey brands that are premium-category fan favorites of bourbon aficionados everywhere. [], Copyright 2023 Whisky, Whiskey & Bourbon | Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Unlike their Canadian and American whiskey cousins, the, So, youre eying up that bottle of Hennessy, Rmy Martin or Courvoisier at your local liquor store or favorite bar. $14.00. Learn how Little Bay compares to Talisker Storm! Welcome to the big leagues. The Open Work: Apricot. BenRiach 12 year old matured in sherry wood, Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Innovative (Batch 14), Single Malts vs Blends Understanding Whisky. Single Malt Scotch - 13 to 19 Yrs - 2022. Over the past decade, brands have included more flavored whiskey options, which have helped introduce new customers to bourbon and bring energy into the overall whiskey category. Springbank 15 Year . (Dont mistake beloved for best quality. Harvested barley is soaked in water to germinate. We wish you all the best on your future culinary endeavors. D R Courvoisier VS 16 I N K SPIRITS VODKA . So take a seat, grab, For those looking for a refined and sophisticated blend of Canadian whisky one with an elevated retail price Crown Royal XR is an enticing dram to seek out. Dalmore 12 vs Glenfiddich 12: Discover the Better! The nose is quite good as it kicks-off with a ripe fruit note, along citrus peel and a touch of smoke. This means that while the master blender is blending barrels for flavor, hes also blending to achieve consistent color between years. Macallan 18 Review: Is it Worth the Price? . And they both continue to spur growth in the category to this day. The Macallan is technically a Speyside scotch, and that is how the brand prefers to be known. But its a bit of a novelty to find two brands Bushmills and Jameson that do not utilize the possessive. Hot chili and cinnamon, followed by vanilla, raisin sweetness and something dark and nutty, a bit of milk chocolate, some fennel or rosemary. The heart of the distillate is then set aside as the future scotch whisky. The Macallan offerings only go up in price from here from the 15 to the 18 and 25 years. Distilling was only legalized in Scotland in 1824, so Macallan was among the very first legal distilleries in the land. Once the whisky has aged for a set amount of time, the master distiller tastes all barrels and determines which are fit for aging. Oban ages for 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels. But I assume you want a little more than that. But if youre wondering why these brands are so well regarded among whiskey nerds, youve come to the right place. The Oban facility is relatively small just over 46,000 square feet and all of its spirits come off two stills one beer still and one spirit still. Sherry Cask Matured in Spanish oak casks from Jerez, Spain, seasoned with Sherry, Triple Oak First Maturation in European oak seasoned with sherry, Second Maturation in American oak seasoned with sherry, Third Maturation in American ex-bourbon casks. Nikka Straight From The Barrel. 204 reviews. 5. And theyve built up a reputation that reflects their longevity! They come from different price segments Woodford Reserve is considered a premium brand, while Buffalo Traces price puts it squarely in the standard segment. Bourbon. In terms of volume, these are the two top-selling brands in the bourbon category. Whether its the touch of smoke that hints of lightly peated malt, or fruity flavors from interactions during fermentation, there is no lack of depth for the whisky lover to explore when sampling these two well-crafted single malt whiskies. Scotch Single Malt - Highland - 2013. Hi. Lagavulin 16 Yr (90 cal.) No, the Macallan 12 Double Cask isn't something to cry over unless it's slipping out of your hands onto a concrete surface! 107 likes. The water used in the production process flows from the nearby Luachrach Loch. Whisky Review #30. Prices are approximate and stated in USD: The Macallan is owned and operated by the Edrington Group, a family-owned business based in Glasgow, Scotland. At the plants founding in 1793, the town of Oban had not yet been founded. The color of the whisky is a rich amber. Glenlivet vs Glenfiddich: The Original Single Malt Scotch Showdown. Bunnahabhain 12 vs Laphroaig 10: Which Single Malt Wins? Thats not the only unique aspect of this matchup. 70cl / 43% . So, if youre up for it, taste these two side-by-side if you get the chance, and see if your palate prefers the light, floral and slightly sweet flavors found in the Macallan or the briny sea-salt and wisp-of-smoke offered by Oban. They are made from barley exclusively. Aint that the most, In the showdown between Knob Creek and Buffalo Trace, the real winner is anyone calling themselves a bourbon fan! Single malts are made from one grain, that assumption is true. Sagamore Rye vs Sagamore Rye Cask Strength. The small size of the stills has two effects. The Quest Collection Quest, Lumina, Terra, Enigma ranging in order from light citrus, to sweet vanilla, darker toffee, and mature oak and cinnamon, Rare Cask a simple dram that focuses on the effect of The Macallans renowned casks, The Master Decanter Series similar to Quest, but with a focus on the effects of sherry aging, each bottle increases in depth and maturity as you move through. . [] Discover how it compares to the Little Bay! ISLAY . Welcome to our Irish whiskey introduction to two powerhouse brands: Jameson and Paddy Irish whiskeys. These barrels are blended together and then either aged a little longer or bottled for production. Obans small, onion-shaped, slow-running stills give the spirit a sulphury character and viscous mouthfeel. We offer a unique twist on new-American cuisine - pulling flavors from Asia and Latin America - and pairing our food with specially curated cocktails and an extensive wine, whiskey, and beer list. BBQ Pork Belly Baos. Do I Recommend Macallan 12? The wood is then cut, shaped, seasoned, and fashioned into barrels onsite at the Macallan cooperage. The Problem of Other Minds. Jack Daniels and George Dickel represent the No. Join us in our intimate speakeasy lounge . We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Deciding between these two bourbons may be a tricky proposition for someone new, We can all agree on the spelling.