Glendronach 12 vs Aberlour 12 unchill filtered vs Macallan 12 sherry cask

[bdrinker]

If you had to buy your first ever sherry cask finished single malt, which one would you go for? they're all about the same price, but I've heard the Macallan isn't as good as it use to be.

[leo_mm]

I haven't had the Glendronach 12 or Aberlour 12, but I have extensively tasted other Glendronach and Aberlour expressions and I have had standard Macallan 12 many times. In a side-by-side of the Glendronach 15 Year Revival and the Aberlour 15, I chose the Glendronach, but they were close.

However, you asked about the 12-year versions of each. Personally I would go with the Glendronach or Aberlour, as they are a little harder to find. You can taste Macallan 12 at practically any bar in the world that has more than one or two single malts.

Another good producer to consider in this space is Glenfarclas.

[garbanzobean]

I've had Glendronach 12 and Macallan 12, and really want to try the aberlour NCF as the reviews (including Ralfy's) have been very good to excellent. Macallan 12 is nice, though mostly tastes like cocoa powder to me. Very one dimensional, though that made it fun to blend. Glendronach 12 is absolutely outstanding with its lush, jammy red fruits. Personally, I don't think you can lose between the Aberlour and the Glendronach, though the Aberlour is going to be a touch pricklier at 48%.

Glenfarclas 12 is another great option, though their batches can sometimes run a bit on the dry/spartan side. Think nutty, dry red fruits, and a nice creamy mouth feel. They usually need some time to open up. I was lucky enough to try some of my buddy's bottle recently and enjoyed it quite a bit, but it scratched a different itch than other sherried whiskies, if that makes sense. Same for the GF105 that I've got open right now.

[amg]

They're all great. Buy the one with the lowest price tag.

[tanstaafl2]

Of some note, Glendronach 12 bottled before 2014 (there is a code on the bottle) are believed to have somewhat older whisky in them because of a brief period when the distillery was shuttered but still carry the price for a 12yo. Don't know if that is why it is so good but seems a reasonable explanation. Older bottles are effected as well according to the source linked above.

[garbanzobean]

If it makes you feel better, the 2014+ Glendronach 12 is still delicious.

[tanstaafl2]

If it makes you feel better, the 2014+ Glendronach 12 is still delicious.

Would be interesting to do a blind side by side comparison! Just don't need anymore of the 12yo at the moment.

[drunk]

I'm a big fan of Glendronach. The 12 is great, and the 15 is phenomenal. My only Aberlour experience is with the a'bunadh, which is a tasty beast. The Glenfarclas 12 is a nice option, but it's more of a malt bomb than a sherry bomb to my palate. All great, but if you're taking a vote, mine is for Glendronach.

[portwood]

I've had both the Glendronach (most recent being an early 2014 bottling making it close to 18 years old) & Macallan. I would say the GD wins by a hair (perhaps due to the extra 6 points of proof). Having said that, I would go for the Aberlour for a simple reason: it is the more limited of the three, hardest to find (it is available in even fewer markets than the Macallan 12) and most likely to be discontinued*.

*Aberlour is owned by Chivas, who recently discontinued Glenlivet 12yo in some markets and removed the age statement from the cask strength Glenlivet Nadurra.

[Darwin]

Glendronach, Aberlour and Glenfarclas are all very tasty. You're going to end up with one of each anyway. :grin:

Personally I would go with Glendronach 12 or Balvenie Double Wood 12, both similar in price for me $47 +tax.

Edited April 10, 2015 by Darwin