Glenmorangie vs Macallan | Which will come out on top?

Last updated on August 13th, 2024

Glenmorangie and Macallan are two of the most renowned Scotch whisky distilleries in Scotland, each with a long history of producing quality single malt whiskies. Both Glenmorangie and Macallan have developed loyal followings over the years, each boasting a wide range of styles from their respective ranges.

In this article we will compare various bottles from Glenmorangie and Macallan to find out which is ultimately better. We’ll look at everything from sherry casked expressions to high-end offerings like 25 year old whiskies in order to determine who comes out on top! So let’s get started – Glenmorangie vs Macallan: Who will come out on top?

Comparing numerous bottles across the Glenmorangie and Macallan range to find out who will be our ultimate winner.

Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 year old vs Macallan Sherry oak 12 year old. Assessing who does sherry casks best?

Glenmorangie 15 years Old Cadboll Estate vs Macallan 15 year old Double cask

Glenmorangie Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 year old vs Macallan 25 Year Old 1997

These comparisons will make for an interesting battle between the brand’s high-end offerings.

Glenmorangie vs Macallan: Category winners

Glenmorangie vs Macallan: The 12 year olds – who does sherry best?

Flavour Comparison

Glenmorangie 12 Lasanta is an exceptionally exquisite whisky that brings a decadent flavour experience. The nose entices with rich aromatics of plum and baking spice, coupled with milk chocolate raisin, caramelized sweetness and toasty oak. On the palate, tart raspberry coulis leads into a generous helping of sherried dried fruit, orange marmalade, toasted nuts and berry jam. These flavour components are followed by brown sugar and cereal notes for added sweetness.

Its soft and creamy mouthfeel provides a luxurious texture, culminating in hints of orange peel and hazelnut praline with a pleasant bitter dark chocolate finish. Glenmorangie 12 Lasanta has been aged for 12 years in bourbon casks before being transferred over to Oloroso Sherry casks for a finishing period. Bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV), Glenmorangie Lasanta can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks for an indulgent single malt experience.

The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Year Old is a complex whisky with a distinct and robust flavour. On the nose, the whisky presents aromas of sultanas, apple blossom and floral notes, swirled with Sherry and tropical fruits with golden syrup. On the palate it has a light creamy texture that coats the mouth with intense flavours of hot pastries, marmalade, sultanas and peels as well as developing sweetness from the barley sugar.

As you sip this medium-bodied spirit, notes of warmth emerge from the oak casks that were used for maturation in Jerez for 12 years before being bottled at 40% ABV. The finish reveals an intense full-bodied flavour that lingers on your tongue with hints of oak providing a perfect balance to this exquisite whisky experience.

Price comparison

The Glenmorangie 12 Lasanta offers a luxurious single malt whisky experience that is not only scrumptious, but also great value for money. At £48.95/$60, Glenmorangie Lasanta has been aged in bourbon casks before being transferred to Oloroso Sherry casks for a finishing period, resulting in a flavour experience that entices with rich aromatics of plum and baking spice coupled with milk chocolate raisin, caramelised sweetness and toasty oak. On the palate, tart raspberry coulis ushers in a hearty helping of sherried dried fruit, orange marmalade, toasted nuts and berry jam. These flavour components are followed by brown sugar and cereal notes for added sweetness. Glenmorangie Lasanta has an exceptional soft and creamy mouthfeel that culminates in hints of orange peel and hazelnut praline with a pleasant bitter dark chocolate finish.

Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Year Old is more expensive at around £74.95/$92 due to its unique maturation process which includes spending its entire life in sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez – something Glenmorangie does not offer as part of their ageing process. The Macallan features an intense full-bodied flavour on its finish which is beautifully complemented by a hint of oak – something Glenmorangie cannot boast – however you could argue this complexity comes at an additional cost which may be too high for some whisky drinkers.

Ultimately Glenmorangie’s 12 Lasanta offers the most bang-for-your-buck when it comes to flavour; providing an exquisite single malt whisky experience that tantalises your taste buds with rich aromatics, sweet notes and a pleasant bitter dark chocolate finish – all at an affordable price point!

Our Pick

When shopping for a sherry aged whisky, Glenmorangie 12 Lasanta should be at the top of your list. Glenmorangie offers an exquisite single malt whisky experience that tantalises your taste buds with rich aromatics and sweet notes, while also offering exceptional value for money. Glenmorangie 12 Lasanta is aged in bourbon casks before being transferred over to Oloroso Sherry casks for a finishing period, resulting in a flavour profile that entices with notes of plum and baking spice coupled with milk chocolate raisin, caramelised sweetness and toasty oak. On the palate, tart raspberry coulis leads into a generous helping of sherried dried fruit, orange marmalade, toasted nuts and berry jam which are followed by brown sugar and cereal notes for added sweetness.

These exquisite flavours are further complemented by Glenmorangie’s luxurious soft and creamy mouthfeel that culminates in hints of orange peel and hazelnut praline with a pleasant bitter dark chocolate finish. All this is available at £48.95/$60 – significantly lower than its Macallan counterpart which requires spending its entire life in sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez which can come at an additional cost of up to £74.95/$92. It is clear that the Lasanta provides superior value when it comes to flavour-packed sherry-aged whiskies when weighing up Glenmorangie vs Macallan.

Glenmorangie 15 years Old Cadboll Estate vs Macallan 15 year old Double cask

Flavour Comparison

On Glenmorangie’s Estate grounds surrounding the Highland home, grows a harvested Cadboll barley that is 15 years old. This exclusive small batch release of whisky is unique and incomparable – only the second production of single estate single malt made by Glenmorangie from start to finish!

At Glenmorangie, the Cadboll barley used is harvested from a coastal region that remains sheltered from harsh inland frosts and seasonal extremes. This allows us to create distinctive batches of The Cadboll Estate with even more subtle flavour profiles each year as every harvest brings something new.

The second batch entices with a creamy vanilla aroma and vibrant hints of orange blossom, fragrant ginger and cinnamon. Alongside poached pear in syrup lies zesty lemon for an unforgettable taste experience.

The Glenmorangie 15 year old Cadboll Estate is an exquisite whisky, with a complex and vibrant flavour profile. On the nose, it has a sweet and distinctive aroma of orange, apricot and fragrant ginger and cinnamon. When tasted, this single malt whisky reveals a creamy vanilla base note balanced with poached pear in syrup, juicy apricots and zesty lemon for a truly memorable taste experience.

Ginger & cinnamon spices bring warmth and spiciness to the Glenmorangie 15 year old Cadboll Estate that is further complemented by menthol freshness for an even more delightful experience. The oily texture of the whisky coats the tongue, followed by lingering notes of orange oil, toasted oak and eucalyptus that create an unforgettable finish.

The Macallan Double cask is produced By combining two different types of oak, the Double Cask whiskies provide a unique and alluring harmony. The hand-crafted casks are seasoned with dry Oloroso sherry to bring out irresistible aromas from both American and European oak. The former delivers delectable notes of vanilla, citrus, and butterscotch while adding a distinctive spice derived from European oak – perfectly capturing The Macallan’s signature flavour!

After fifteen years of maturation, these two phenomenal whiskies combine to craft a one-of-a-kind single malt with an exquisite flavour and character. Whether you choose to enjoy it neat, over ice.

Price Comparison

In the realm of single malt whisky, Glenmorangie and Macallan are two names that stand out from the crowd. Glenmorangie has always been known for its quality and affordability, with their 15 year old Cadboll Estate release costing £75/$92 per bottle. On the other hand, Macallan’s 15 year old Double Cask release is undeniably a higher-end product, coming in at £134.95/$166 per bottle – markably more expensive than Glenmorangie’s offering.

When it comes to whisky connoisseurs, both Glenmorangie and Macallan have their respective devoted followings, each touting their own unique flavour profiles and taste experiences. However, what sets them apart is Glenmorangie’s unrivalled affordability when compared with Macallan’s ultra-premium pricing structure.

To put it into perspective, Glenmorangie’s Cadboll Estate offering works out to be roughly 36% less expensive than a comparable 15 year old Double Cask expression from Macallan – making it an attractive proposition for budget-conscious whisky drinkers who still want to enjoy a quality dram.

Nevertheless, Macallan still holds its position as one of the most respected names in single malt whisky production due to its uncompromising dedication to quality and craftsmanship. The Oloroso sherry season casks used for maturation bring out distinctive flavours which are both complex and captivating – perfect for special occasions or as an indulgent treat!

Ultimately, Glenmorangie and Macallan offer two completely different tasting experiences that cater to different budgets; regardless of your preference or budget constraints you can enjoy either one without compromising on quality or flavour!

Our Pick

When it comes down to choosing between Glenmorangie vs Macallan, Glenmorangie’s 15 year old Cadboll Estate release is simply the superior choice. Not only does this single malt provide an unbeatable taste experience thanks to its complex flavor profile of creamy vanilla, poached pear in syrup, juicy apricots and zesty lemon – but it also offers unbeatable value for money when compared with its high-end Macallan counterpart.

At roughly 36% less expensive than a comparable expression from Macallan, Glenmorangie’s 15 year old Cadboll Estate provides a unique and alluring harmony of American and European oak seasoned with dry Oloroso sherry. Its delectable notes of vanilla, citrus and butterscotch blend perfectly with the distinctive spice derived from the European oak to create an unbeatable flavour sensation that will captivate even the most discerning whisky connoisseur.

Additionally, Glenmorangie carefully ages their single malt whiskies up to 15 years in specially selected ex-bourbon casks – resulting in an unforgettable whisky that boasts a smooth yet complex mouth feel along with an extremely enjoyable finish.

For those who are looking for an affordable yet exceptional whisky experience, Glenmorangie’s Cadboll Estate is undoubtedly the right choice. From its remarkable flavours to its extraordinary value for money proposition, Glenmorangie’s 15 year old single malt is sure to make any whisky drinker happy!

Glenmorangie Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 year old vs Macallan Sherry Oak 25 year old (2022 release)

Flavour Comparison

Glenmorangie Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 Year Old is an exquisite whisky that starts life as a batch of 10-year-old Glenmorangie single malt. To create this luxurious spirit, Glenmorangie’s master distillers carefully select the finest first and second-fill bourbon casks for ageing. After spending a decade in these impressive barrels, Glenmorangie then ages their Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve for an additional 15 years in casks from one of California’s most esteemed vineyards – Sonoma Cutrer.

This unique finishing process imparts Glenmorangie’s signature velvety texture, while adding layers of complexity to the whisky’s flavour. The sherry casks lend hints of dried fruits, cinnamon and smoky wood to Glenmorangie’s beloved palette of vanilla and mandarin orange Chantilly cream. On the palate, you can expect a medley of sweet notes including creamy buttery notes, coconut and almond accompanied by subtle nuances of pineapple and melon. The finish is luscious with lingering hints of cocoa powder, toffee apple and fudge to tantalise your taste buds long after you have taken your last sip.

The Macallan Sherry Oak 25 year old 2022 release is a whisky of extraordinary distinction, having been matured in carefully selected sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez, Spain for a quarter of a century. This ensures the whisky develops its distinct and luxurious qualities, taking on notes of tart citrus that are complemented with warm cinnamon and sherry character. The palate reveals succulent dried fruits and delicate smoky wood, creating an enticing aroma that invites you to take a sip. Revel in the velvety texture as it caresses your palate before leading into a lingering finish of dried fruit, spices and smoky wood.

The cask selection process employed by Macallan is meticulous – only the finest hand-picked Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks are used to mature this exquisite single malt. These barrels are chosen based on their ability to impart both richness and complexity to the whisky’s flavour profile. Each cask is then carefully monitored over time to ensure that the perfect balance between sweetness, spice and smokiness has been achieved before bottling the final product.

The combination of Glenmorangie’s signature velvet smoothness and Macallan’s unique ageing process make for two very different but equally delicious whiskies – Glenmorangie Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 year old vs Macallan Sherry Oak 25 year old (2022 release). Both whiskies offer exceptional quality for their price point and make for an ideal gift or special occasion indulgence that will be remembered long after your last sip!

Price

The Glenmorangie Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25-Year-Old and Macallan Sherry Oak 25-year-old (2022 release) are both luxurious whiskies that have been carefully crafted by their respective master distillers. Although these two whiskies come at a similar price point, this should not be taken as a mere price comparison. Glenmorangie’s Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve and Macallan’s Sherry Oak 25 year old offer far more than just cost savings. They are potential investments and perfect gifts for special occasions, providing a unique whisky experience that is sure to be remembered.

Both Glenmorangie’s Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 Year Old and Macallan’s Sherry Oak 25 year olds provide extraordinary quality for their respective prices – making them ideal investments or special occasion indulgences that will be remembered long after they’re gone!

Our Pick

Glenmorangie’s Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 year old is a luxurious whisky that stands out for its unique use of Chardonnay casks to mature the whisky. This special cask selection process allows Glenmorangie to craft a complex and velvety smooth spirit with intense aromas of dried fruits, cinnamon, smoky wood and sweet notes like almond and coconut on the palate.

The final product provides an exquisite drinking experience that lingers long after your last sip. Glenmorangie’s Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25-year-old is therefore our pick due to its superior quality, velvety texture, intense aroma and complex flavour profile all created through their unique ageing process in Chardonnay casks.

Glenmorangie vs Macallan: Overall winner

If you are keen to read more about Glenmorangie why not check out our other article comparing them to Glenfiddich here.