When I first started writing reviews on Distiller, the Macallan 12 Sherry Oak came in a glossy brown box, and it would be one of my top recommendations for someone looking to start their single malt journey. Today, Macallan 12 Sherry Oak is my recommendation if you want to end your journey. I was at a bar that was selling the modern black box Macallan 12 for $10 for 1.5 oz pours. But because this was a company event, this shit and Johnnie Walker Black were the scotches being poured for free. That’s how I found myself trying Mac 12 again. It was so bad that I needed one JW Black to get the bad taste out of my mouth, and then I drank water for the rest of the night; and then I never drank whisky again for over 3 months. Macallan 12 Sherry Oak today does not have any of the luxurious rich sherry of previous versions. For the first few seconds on the palate, there is sherry per se. As in, it’s in my mouth, and I’m like, “Oh, sultanas. Meh, some fruits.” And maybe 3-5 seconds later, it just becomes harsh bitter oak and sulfur. I never thought I would call an age-stated Macallan harsh; I thought it would be guilty of being “smooth” and flavorless, but it actually is HARSH and offensive punishment if you leave it in your mouth. And this is perhaps purposefully engineered for the new horde of whisky “enthusiasts”, who are in a rush, and find the most pleasureful part of the experience is swallowing. This dram was so depressing I almost ended my whisky journey. On the upside, I can now give solid advice to those still beginning their single malt journey. Avoid Macallan. I am like their counter-ambassador. On that night, this is what I told anyone who solicited my advice, and that half-full bottle of Macallan 12 Sherry Oak, did not even empty even though there were dozens of people at the event and it was free. I did my job. The best way to improve in chess, and most things in life, is not to try and find the brilliant moves, but to not fucking blunder. Very few people respect this fact. Avoid blundering, and you will automatically become one of the elite. With single malt scotch, the first blunder to avoid is now blaringly obvious. Don’t pay to drink Macallan ever. Follow this one rule, and you will be wiser than most scotch drinkers. Paying to collect Macallan is a different topic… for an upcoming review. Score: Minus (unforgettably bad) How much does a bottle cost?: $70-90 How much do I think a bottle is worth?: 0