The battle of the twelves! Two tasters seven whiskies. The blind tasters 1 female 1 male both of which lean toward Islay/Island, although also love Highland-Speyside-Cambletown-Lowland. The seven twelves, a selection of Island, Highland and Speyside, The Dalmore, Highland Park, Aberlour, The Macallan double cask, Deanston, Balvenie double wood, and Old Pulteney. The winner...The Macallan! Wait, what? Yes. Much to both tasters surprise The Macallan was preferred. Not that Macallan isn’t a great whisky, it is (we all know about their obsession over the quality of wood and natural color). The Macallan atmosphere is bold: fig, raisin, sulfur, vanilla, carmal, apple. The Macallan ground is rich: big sweet, salt and spice sprinkles, dried dark fruits. All of this reverberating around for a polished closing. The runners up Highland Park on one side and Balvenie on the other.