Balvenie vs Macallan: Which is the Speyside is best?

Last updated on August 13th, 2024

Speyside whiskies are among the most sought-after and beloved types of Scotch whisky. From the mellow, smooth Balvenie to the sophisticated Macallan, these two distilleries have been producing some of the finest spirits in Scotland for centuries. But which is better?

Speyside is renowned for its smooth and distinctive flavour profiles. Characterised by subtle complexity, these whiskies lend themselves to a variety of uses, from sipping neat to mixing in cocktails. Distilleries such as Balvenie and Macallan have been producing some of the finest Speyside whisky for centuries, and it can be difficult to decide which one is best. To answer this question, we’ll compare a variety of whiskies from both distilleries – Doublewood 12 year old from Balvenie and Double Cask 12 year from Macallan; French Oak 16 year from Balvenie and Sherry Oak from Macallan; and finally, Doublewood 17 year old vs 18 Double cask from Macallan. Let’s see which one comes out on top in the debate of Balvenie vs Macallan.

The Speyside region of Scotland is one of the smallest whisky-producing regions in the country. The heartland of Speyside itself is no more than 15 miles wide. However, what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in output; it produces the most whisky of any region in Scotland, with over half of all Scotch produced here.

Speyside whiskies are renowned for their distinct flavour profiles and high-quality standards. The mild climate and superior water source make it an ideal place to produce whisky – resulting in a smoother, softer taste compared to other regions.

The malting process used in Speyside helps create unique flavour profiles as well. Maltings are typically aged over six months or longer, allowing time for a variety of complex flavours to develop. The Scotch Whisky Association also regulates distilleries within the region to ensure that each blend maintains its original character and quality standards.

With such a wide range of different whiskies available from Balvenie and Macallan alone, let’s not forget about all of the other distilleries that call Speyside home! From Glenlivet to Glenfiddich, there are countless options for those looking to explore this wonderful region – making it a great choice for whisky enthusiasts around the world.

Balvenie vs Macallan: Category Winners Quick Look

Balvenie vs Macallan: Overall winner

Balvenie vs Macallan: Double wood 12 vs Double Cask 12

Balvenie vs Macallan: Flavour Comparison

The first time I ever tried whisky was a wedding favour of Balvenie 12. It was my first encounter with the spirit, and I’ll never forget it – that distinct flavour and warmth that comes with a sip of this exquisite whisky. Little did I know then that this would be the start of my lifelong love affair with whisky.

From the second I tasted Balvenie 12, my fascination with Speyside whiskies only grew.

Balvenie is the only distillery in Speyside that still grows its own barley for whisky production. This means that they have complete control over the quality of the grain used and can ensure that it meets their strict standards.

Balvenie Double Cask 12 is an exquisite whisky, crafted with exceptional attention to detail. The mild spices and subtle peaty undertones are complemented by notes of vanilla, nuts, nutmeg, and cinnamon, creating a smooth and balanced spirit with plenty of complexity.

The hints of dried fruit and bourbon give the whisky added layers of richness, as do the carefully chosen American oak casks that provide the perfect maturation environment for this wonderful single malt.

A final nine-month finish in first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts adds a further dimension to this classic Speyside whisky. Ageing in Sherry casks brings a rich, warm complexity to the whisky.

By maturing whisky in these types of cask, the distillers are able to add layers of flavour such as nuttiness, spices, and sweet, fruity notes.

The Macallan 12 year old Double Cask differs from Balvenie 12 Double Wood in a few key ways. Firstly, the Macallan has a more intense dried fruit nose than the Balvenie, as well as an overall sweeter taste due to its finish in Oloroso Sherry butts. The Macallan also has creamy and honeyed notes on the palate, leaving a distinctively warming and dry mouthfeel.

In comparison, Balvenie 12 Double Wood is mellower and less intense than its Macallan counterpart. Its aromas feature vanilla, nuts and nutmeg providing a subtle complexity that blends nicely with hints of peaty undertones. On the palate, this whisky offers mild spices, cinnamon and warm pastries for a smooth finish with some added sweetness from its American oak maturation process. The final nine-month finish in European oak Oloroso sherry butts adds further layers of sweet fruity notes to this classic Speyside whisky.

Both of these whiskies spend some time in a sherry cask, but what does that bring to the flavour?

Sherry casks also lend themselves perfectly to the maturation process due to their size and shape. As the spirit ages inside these small vessels, more intense flavours are created as a result of higher concentration levels gathered together. Furthermore, because Sherry is sweeter than other spirits like whisky or brandy, it adds additional sweetness to the whisky’s flavour profile without overwhelming it.

The overall effect of ageing whisky in Sherry casks is that it produces smooth whiskies with distinct character and a unique sweetness.

Despite their similarities, both whiskies offer distinct characters and complex flavour profiles created by careful attention to detail from their respective master distillers. Each one is unique in its own right, making them excellent picks for anyone looking for something special from either of these two renowned Speyside distilleries.

Price Comparison

The price difference between the Balvenie Doublewood and Macallan Double Cask is £21/$26, which might seem like a reasonable sum of money. However, when you consider the similarities between the two whiskies, it becomes clear that investing in the Balvenie is a much better option.

Both whiskies are crafted with exceptional attention to detail using carefully selected casks to provide the perfect maturation environment for each spirit. In addition both are finished in first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts, giving them unique sweetness and complexity. The whiskies also have distinct character and flavour profiles despite their similarities, making either an excellent pick for whisky enthusiasts looking for something special from these two renowned Speyside distilleries.

In terms of taste, the Balvenie 12 Double Wood has subtle peaty undertones and notes of vanilla, nuts, nutmeg and cinnamon creating a smooth and balanced whisky with plenty of complexity. It also has warm hints of dried fruit as well as sweetness from its American oak cask maturation process. On the other hand, Macallan 12 year old Double Cask has an intense dried fruit nose and more overt sweetness due to its finish in Oloroso Sherry butts along with creamy and honeyed notes on the palate resulting in a distinctively warming and dry mouthfeel.

Overall, Balvenie offers a great value for money while still providing complexity in flavours that make it stand out from its competitors. By investing in this single malt whisky you will be sure to enjoy a smooth finish with plenty of layers of richness without breaking your bank account.

Our pick

When it comes to making a decision between the Balvenie 12 Doublewood and Macallan 12 Double Cask, my preference is certainly the former. The Balvenie offers an exquisite blend of subtle peaty undertones, nutty notes and warm hints of dried fruit created by its American oak maturation process. It also has a smooth finish with added sweetness from its European oak Oloroso sherry butts which adds layers of complexity to the whisky without overwhelming it.

The price difference between both whiskies is £21/$26, but when you take into account the similarities in terms of taste, texture and quality then investing in the Balvenie 12 Double Wood is the far better option. Both whiskies are carefully crafted using specially selected casks to provide perfect maturation conditions for each distillery’s whisky. Furthermore, both are finished in first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts giving them unique sweetness and complexity.

Overall, Balvenie 12 Doublewood is a great pick for anyone looking for something special from either of these two renowned Speyside distilleries due its smooth finish with plenty of layers of richness at an unbeatable price. Its character and flavour profiles are distinct yet balanced which makes it an exceptional choice among whisky enthusiasts who appreciate quality craftsmanship combined with traditional techniques.

Keen on the sound of Balvenie 12? Why not check out our comparison with the Caribbean cask here.

Balvenie vs Macallan: French Oak 16 year vs Sherry Oak 12 year

Flavour Comparison

The Balvenie French Oak 16 year old has more complex aromas and flavours than the Macallan Sherry Oak 12 year old. The Balvenie is rich and fruity on the nose, with notes of gingerbread, sponge cake, almond pastries, honeyed apricot and geranium. On the palate, it has a good body and creamy texture, with a hint of citrus and honey flavours along with a subtle note of honeydew melon. When compared to the Macallan Sherry Oak 12 year old, the former offers a greater range of complexity in terms of its flavour profile.

The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 year old has more of an initial crispness on the nose followed by sweetness from sultanas and fresh apple blossom. Its palate is medium-bodied and firm with flavours of hot pastries, marmalade, sultanas and peels that become increasingly sweet as barley sugar comes through. While not as complex as its counterpart, this whisky still provides a good-length finish with woody notes.

When looking at both whiskies side-by-side, it’s clear that while they are both made using carefully selected casks for maturation, the Balvenie French Oak 16year old offers more intricate aromas and flavours than its counterpart making it stand out amongst other single malt whiskies.

Price Comparison

The Balvenie French Oak 16 year old is £47 more expensive than the Macallan Sherry Oak. But you are getting a much more complex-flavoured whisky for that price.

What’s more, this whisky also offers an unbeatable flavour profile with hints of gingerbread, sponge cake, almond pastries, honeyed apricot, geranium and buttery vanilla. The finish has additional notes of citrus and honey along with a subtle hint of honeydew melon. Compare this to the Macallan Sherry Oak 12 year old which features aromas of crispness and sweetness with notes of sultanas and fresh apple blossom followed by Calvados flavour and tropical fruit. On the palate it is medium-bodied with flavours of hot pastries, marmalade, sultanas and peels graduating to barley sugar on the finish.

Overall, Balvenie’s French Oak 16 year old provides an exceptional flavour at a great price point making it one of the best picks from both these respective Speyside distilleries when considering quality craftsmanship combined with traditional techniques.

Our Pick

This one was tough because they were very different whiskies. Almost too difficult to compare. Considering the dramatic difference in price and age it’s difficult to really assess the two fairly. So in this case we’re going to call it a draw, as we feel the Balvenie French Oak is an excellent, unique flavoured whisky. However, maybe a step out of some people’s price range and is difficult to compare with a 12 year old Macallan. Having said that I would highly recommend the Balvenie French Oak if you are in the market for a special treat and looking to splash out a little on something different.

Balvenie vs Macallan: Doublewood 17 year vs Double cask 18 year

Flavour Comparison

These are two higher end offerings from Balvenie and Macallan.

Balvenie’s Doublewood 17 offers a warm, sweet and fruity aroma with notes of acacia honey, green apples and winter spices. On the palate, it provides rich flavours of vanilla, honeysuckle and gentle wood spice. The finish is gloriously long with notes of vanilla and honey.

Macallan’s Double Cask 18 year old features aromas of dried fruit, ginger and toffee as well as orange zest, clove and nutmeg. On the palate it provides intense raisin and sultana flavours along with caramel, vanilla, ginger and wood spice. The finish lingers with notes of warm oak spice mixed with ginger before turning to sweet orange.

Both whiskies provide an exceptional drinking experience that can be appreciated either neat or on the rocks. While Balvenie’s offering is slightly sweeter than Macallan’s due to its sherry finishes in whisky oak casks before being switched to sherry wood for a second maturation period, both whiskies offer an amazing depth of flavour that will delight even the most discerning whisky connoisseur.

Price Comparison

Both the Balvenie Doublewood 17 and the Macallan Double Cask 18 year old are considered special occasion whiskies, by most standards due to their price points. For those looking for a luxurious whisky experience, these two offerings from Speyside distilleries provide an exceptional drinking experience that is sure to delight even the most discerning whisky connoisseur.

Balvenie’s Doublewood 17 is aged for 17 years in ‘whisky oak’ casks and then switched to sherry wood to finish and provides a warm, sweet and fruity aroma combined with notes of winter spices on the palate. The finish is gloriously long with notes of vanilla and honey. It has a strength of 86 proof / 43 ABV% and typically retails at £399/$497.

Macallan’s 18 year old Double Cask features aromas of dried fruit, ginger and toffee as well as orange zest, clove and nutmeg on the nose. On the palate it provides intense raisin and sultana flavours along with caramel, vanilla, ginger and wood spice before ending on a warm oak spice finish with ginger turning to sweet orange. This whisky is also 86 proof / 43 ABV% strength but offers slightly better value for money at around £319.95/$399 per bottle.

Both whiskies provide an immersive drinking experience that can be enjoyed either neat or over ice – ideal for those special occasions when indulgence is called for!

Our Pick

As you may have already gathered I’m a massive Balvenie fan and in my eyes they can do no wrong. Therefore, I’d have to recommend the Balvenie 17 year old Doublewood.

When it comes to choosing between the two luxurious whiskies from Speyside distilleries Balvenie and Macallan, there are a few reasons why I’d opt for the Balvenie 17 year old Doublewood over Macallan’s 18 year old Double Cask.

Firstly, whilst both whiskies feature fruity notes on the nose such as dried fruits, ginger, and toffee, Balvenie’s offering provides additional aromas of acacia honey, green apples and winter spices that give the whisky a richer depth of flavour. Additionally, its palate is more complex with flavours of vanilla, honeysuckle and gentle wood spice providing an exquisite drinking experience. The finish is also longer and sweeter with notes of vanilla and honey adding to its complexity.

Overall, while both whiskies offer an amazing drinking experience that will excite even the most discerning whisky connoisseur with their exceptional depth of flavour – I’d have to recommend the Balvenie 17 year old Doublewood as being my top pick due to its added complexity in taste profile over Macallan’s 18-year-old.

Balvenie vs Macallan: Overall Winner