The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak might be the world’s most famous sherried whisky, but at £80+ per bottle, it’s no longer the automatic choice for many enthusiasts. A new wave of exceptional sherried whiskies is challenging Macallan’s crown – and most cost nearly half the price.

From Billy Walker’s masterful GlenAllachie to the underrated excellence of Tamdhu, these five alternatives aren’t just cheaper – many whisky lovers actually prefer them. We’ve tested them all to help you find your next favourite sherried dram.

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Glendronach 12 

Leading our list of Macallan alternatives is GlenDronach 12, a Highland single malt that delivers exceptional sherry cask character at nearly half the price. Matured exclusively in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, this acclaimed whisky offers rich notes of spiced raisins, dark chocolate, and hazelnuts. Multiple gold medals at prestigious competitions confirm what enthusiasts have long known – GlenDronach 12 rivals Macallan’s sherried complexity while presenting outstanding value at around £41.

Bunnahabhain 12

For those seeking a different direction entirely, Bunnahabhain 12 offers an intriguing coastal character at a similar price point to GlenDronach. While technically an Islay whisky, this unpeated expression breaks regional stereotypes with its delicate maritime notes of sea salt and caramel. Recently crowned ‘Best in Show’ at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards, this £42 single malt delivers a syrupy texture with subtle wood spice and glacé cherry sweetness.

GlenAllachie 12

Billy Walker’s revitalisation of GlenAllachie has created what many consider the new benchmark for sherried Speyside malts. Recently crowned category winner at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards, this £45 expression showcases a masterful balance of fried banana, ginger, and sultana notes. The distillery’s hands-on approach to cask management, overseen by Walker himself, delivers a rich complexity that increasingly has enthusiasts choosing GlenAllachie over its more famous neighbour.

Aberlour A’bunadh

Standing apart from our other recommendations, Aberlour A’bunadh offers a different proposition entirely as a cask-strength sherried powerhouse. At £85, it commands a premium over standard 12-year expressions, but delivers extraordinary intensity through its undiluted character, typically bottled around 60% ABV.

What makes A’bunadh unique is its batch variation system. Unlike the consistent core ranges of our other alternatives, each A’bunadh release differs slightly while maintaining its signature style of chocolate-orange, rich sultanas, and warming spices. This batch-by-batch approach creates an engaging experience for enthusiasts, with some releases becoming highly sought after – notably Batch #70, which scored 95.8 points at the 2022 International Whisky Competition.

Tamdhu 12 and 15 Year Old

Rounding out our alternatives, Tamdhu offers two compelling options at different price points. The 12-year-old (£45) delivers exceptional value with its silky texture and profile of cinnamon rolls, berry jam, and subtle smoke. Its older sibling, the 15-year-old (£85), elevates the experience with sophisticated notes of exotic fruits and cream sherry.

Both expressions showcase Tamdhu’s commitment to exclusively using first-fill and refill Oloroso sherry casks. This dedication to quality sherry maturation, combined with the distillery’s traditional production methods, creates whiskies that regularly secure gold medals yet remain surprisingly under-appreciated by mainstream whisky enthusiasts.

Choosing Your Macallan 12 Alternative

While Macallan 12 remains a benchmark sherried whisky, the landscape has evolved significantly. My Personal Recommendation: While all the whiskies listed offer excellent value and unique characteristics, the GlenDronach 12 and Tamdhu 12 stand out as my personal favorites for a few key reasons. Both offer exceptional quality and represent fantastic value, nearly halving the price of the Macallan 12. Beyond the price point, however, they deliver incredibly satisfying and complex flavor profiles.

For those exploring beyond Macallan’s signature profile, each alternative offers something distinct. Bunnahabhain 12 brings subtle maritime complexity, GlenAllachie 12 showcases Billy Walker’s masterful cask selection, while A’bunadh offers cask-strength intensity.

Have you tried any of these Macallan alternatives? Let us know your favourite sherried whiskies in the comments below – we’re particularly keen to hear if you think we’ve missed any hidden gems that deserve a spot on this list.

Read the full article at 5 Premium Sherried Whiskies That Outperform Macallan 12 (For Half the Price)