Introduction

The Macallan 18 Double Cask is a bottle I’ve had my eye on for a while. Given Macallan’s status and the attention this expression gets, I wanted to see how it holds up against other heavier sherried whiskies I enjoy. Known for its dual maturation in American and European oak, both seasoned with sherry, this one promised a bit more nuance than its standard sherry-seasoned cask counterparts.

Nose

The first draw from the glass was rich but surprisingly layered. There’s the immediate sweetness of dried fruit—mainly sultanas and figs—accompanied by fresh orange zest and a touch of honeycomb. The American oak brings in a creamy vanilla character that lifts the darker notes slightly, adding some welcome softness. Underneath, there’s a light cinnamon spice and some polished leather, giving it an air of maturity but not over-oaked. It’s aromatic without being overpowering—rewarding the deeper nosing without fatigue.

Palate

From the first sip, the balance struck me. The texture is full without being syrupy—rounded and mouth-coating. It opens with raisins, spiced stewed apples, and then moves into gingerbread and toasted nuts. The sweetness is present, but never cloying, with honey and butterscotch weaving in subtly. That American oak influence shows again, creating a gentle contrast with the richer, darker European oak spices. There’s a clear structure to the progression of flavours, which helped keep my attention. No sharp alcohol bite—even at its 43% ABV, it feels calm and self-assured.

Finish

The finish carries through as you'd expect from a well-aged Speyside whisky—long and warm. It’s not loud, but it lingers effectively with echoes of cocoa powder, clove, and orange peel. There’s a dryness toward the very end, like dark chocolate or slightly spent oak, but it doesn't feel bitter or out of place. Instead, it adds a final brushstroke of complexity.

Price and Value

There's no getting around it—Macallan 18 Double Cask is priced as a premium whisky, and that’s reflected in both packaging and presentation. While some might argue that you're paying for the brand name, I’d say this bottle does deliver in terms of quality and flavour maturity. If you're after a well-aged, classic sherried single malt without overwhelming sulphur or wood, this is worth considering—especially if you’re selective about when and with whom you open it.

Background

Macallan has built its reputation in Speyside on sherry-cask maturation, but the Double Cask range introduces a twist. It matures the spirit in a mix of European and American oak casks, both seasoned with Oloroso sherry, which softens the traditional Macallan profile and allows vanilla and gentle spice notes to come through. The result is a sherry-led whisky that trades some depth for a cleaner, more structured style—not a bad thing, depending on your preferences. You can read more about the distillery at The Macallan.

The 18-year-old sits near the top of the Double Cask range, aimed at drinkers who want richness without overly assertive tannins. It’s bottled at 43% ABV and finished to a standard that reflects careful cask monitoring over nearly two decades.

Final Notes

I’d definitely buy this bottle again, although it’s probably more of an occasional treat than a regular shelf resident, given the price. It’s absolutely suitable for someone just getting deeper into Scotch, so long as they’ve tried some more affordable sherried malts beforehand to set a baseline. For me, it's best enjoyed slowly in quieter moments—maybe with a cigar or just after dinner with time to appreciate its subtleties.

Compared to other Macallan sherry-matured expressions, this one feels a bit more deliberate and poised. The American oak adds approachability without diluting the richness. For those wondering how it stacks up against its age-statement peers from GlenDronach or Aberlour, I’d say it’s less indulgent but more polished—and that's a fair tradeoff, depending on the context.