MACALLAN 12 SHERRY OAK VS. GLENMORANGIE 14 QUINTA RUBAN

Rob puts two iconic whiskies that have recently been rebranded/reshaped together to discuss quality, value and marketing. Although the Lasanta would have been the more obvious comparison, Rob chose the Quinta Ruban to further illustrate his issues directed at Macallan.
#macallan12sherry #glenmorangie14quinta #scotch

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

A nice comparison, but wouldn't a comparison of Macallan 12 and Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 be a more relevant comparison?

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Lol I actually address this in the description. Just wanted to hammer home the price increase vs leaving the price the same for the two brands.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@WhiskyInThe6 Sorry, I missed that. The entire Glenmorangie line-up represents great value IMO; I can get that Quinta Ruban 14 for about $54 USD, and it's one of the great deals going. Another good comparison would be Macallan 12 and Tomatin 18; they're roughly the same price by me. Cheers!

[@tonyv9586]

Ouch! Mac Sherry Oak is $73 and Glenm QR is $48 here (Total Wine)

[@Tantrum777]

The prices might go down if people stop buying Macallan, I am doing my part. 🤣

[@welshtoro3256]

Well said. Mortlach and Aberlour have taken notice. I've dumped Macallan ages ago. Move on, there's plenty of decent whisky out there.

[@robinsharkey6658]

Now convince all of the Orient to do the same!!

[@welshtoro3256]

@@robinsharkey6658 lol

[@NN-cq3vj]

@@welshtoro3256 no oriental is gonna buy something called “GLENMORRENGIE”. “Macallan” is wholesome!

[@davidbroughall3782]

I'm actually on my 4th bottle of the QR. I've had two of the 12's and on my second bottle of the 14. I love port finished whiskies and this is my favorite. I will keep buying it as long as it's available.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Great stuff for sure

[@steveno7058]

Macallan 12 for $70 USD is a tough buy. It was a good buy at $50-$55 last year. My replacement for the Mac is Glendronach 12 and Bunna 12.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Both great choices

[@Houman7]

Glendronach 12 is amazing, way better than Mac 12 and almost half the price. Was lucky to get two at 18$ In Costco.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

hooman irani sorry wait. How much?

[@Houman7]

Whisky In The 6 Costco normally doesn’t carry any GlenDronach but I once saw Original 12 year old for 17.99$. It was that cheap that made me doubt at first to buy them cause I thought there might be something wrong but that’s true.

[@100puremustard5]

@@Houman7 , That's insane! I found Glendronach 12 at my local Costco for $36.99 and I thought that was a steel! $17.99?!? Luckyyyy!!!

[@behdadak8934]

Bang on with the review Rob! Been drinking both of these during the past week. As a macallan drinker, obv i love the sherry 12 and will always get more. But if someone is not a Macallan drinker, then they would def go with the glenmorangie 14, the reason being the extra bacon that they be saving. Cheers

[@uncorkededition3700]

I’ve tried the Quinta Ruban 14 and really enjoyed. I didn’t know it was color added tho. I would definitely buy that one over Macallan 12 SO. They have risen the prices too much lately, and they’re whisky is not as good as it use to be. I still have a maroon bottle of the 12, and it’s way better that the new release.Great video Rob, cheers!

[@albertomolina3678]

Another great video. I purchased two whiskeys thanks to your reviews! I am in my late 40s and got back to scotch after a 10 year break. No particular reason why. Where I live McCallen 12 is 70 to 85 dollars in the various stores I have seen minus tax. This used to be my favorite whiskey by far and it's a real shame that they jacked up the price. I understand that prices go up but I believe that this is overpriced by 20 to 30 dollars. I am not cheap but I also am not a sucker and can find equally great tasting whiskeys for 50 to 60 dollars.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thanks buddy. I agree, the price is out of control.

[@100puremustard5]

Great review and comparison Rob. Glenmorangie is one of the best values here in NorCal. The Quinta Ruban 14 is $52. You can still find the Quinta Ruban 12 on the shelf but it's about $10 more thought most whiskey tubers say the 12 is better! I've only had the 12 and it's good, definitely get that port profile. The new Mac 12 sherry is $80+ here which is too much for me. Especially when I can still find the older red box version on the shelf sometimes for $69 (actually found one for $51.50 a week ago!). But is the red box clearly better than the new black box??? Cheers!!!

[@markrobertson1137]

Another price hike recently here in Vancouver was Glendiddich core range. The GF15 was $75 in February and there were two separate price hikes since Covid began and now asks for $105. Have you seen this in the LCBO?

[@jangwookkim2857]

Good review! Thanks!

[@ironmantran]

Instant LIKE ! both at LCBO now, and I needed THIS comparison. . . well done.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Thanks buddy

[@gohabs365]

Love the 12 sherry oak, but there is no way I'm paying $150 when I can get the Classic Cut for $136.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Ya it’s tough to spend $150 on this.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Have you tried all the Macallan Special Editions? They got the 3 and 5 at my store I been eyeballing. I've seen other reviewers say 2 was the best. Are 3 and 5 worth $130+? Like the sherry 12 but usually steer clear of everything else Macallan just cause of the price

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Yep. Reviewed all of them. Great stuff. Not a bad price.

[@jayasprilla164]

tried the quinta ruban for the first time and it was a chocolate bomb for me. loved it! cheers

[@jackrichter1702]

here in Australia Quinta Ruban is generally cheaper by AUD $15 compared to the new Macallan Sherry Oak 12yo. I did get hold of an older red box Macallan 12 yo sherry 43% bottle, that was amazing and finished it quick, find Quinta Ruban is smooth and flavorsome, have a bottle opened and its finishing fast, little bit of water opens it up well. Will try the new Macallan 12 Sherry later this year, choices choices :)

[@primewhisky]

In Sweden the Macallan sherry 12y is 84 Canadian dollars and the Quinta ruban is 99 Canadian dollars so definitely here we go for the Macallan but i like them both a lot😋

[@tylerwright4110]

They don’t add coloring to the glenmorangie

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I was told by a Glenmorangie employee that they do 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@robinsharkey6658]

That Cragganmore 12 in the background is a great whisky!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

really is.

[@PlagueKing_LordFalix]

Macallan was already proud of themselves. They are just trying to become Ray Bans. Which were $50 glasses in the 90s and almost closed but then "rebranded" and started selling for $400.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

It's too bad. Great product, just way too expensive.

[@nealbruce5914]

Rob, interesting and accurate review. Port and Sherry aged/finished Scotches have a strong enough similarity that a comparison of the two is logical. I feel the flavor of Macallan 12 has changed and seems thinner than just a few years ago. I compared the Quinta Ruban 12 and 14 recently with my sons and feel there is still more complexity in the 12. I agree with the reviewer that feels the casks needed the extra years. Seems like both companies rushed not the aging but the seasoning of their casks. GlenDronach 12 over both but Glengoyne is still the best 12!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I really like Glengoyne 12. Need to revisit.

[@foodquig]

Interesting comparison, Rob!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Ya I’m out there lol

[@aryanasandoval9507]

Where can I get one of those caps ?

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I have to get more made.

[@hksunchaser1]

thx

[@welshtoro3256]

Both distilleries take the piss but Glenmorangie less so.

[@abc123hshdhd8w]

The Glenmorangie is only $45 where I live in Texas

[@groberti]

that's an amazing price for it!

[@justinmaizeblue]

Could hardly get through the short video with commercial interruptions! Three so far!

[@albertomolina3678]

I really like McCallan 12 sherry oak. My first Scotch love. It is better than some 15 and 18 year old scotch as I have tried. I still refuse to pay the 70 to $85 for it in my area which is unfortunate because they would make a lot more sales if they sold it at a reasonable price. Today I found a bottle in the older red package for $56 in a hole in the wall liquor store totally by accident. I picked it up right away and I'm looking forward to enjoying it. Like I said it's a shame that most of the stores where I live sell it for $85. :(

[@PlagueKing_LordFalix]

I've still got 2 unopened bottles and about a third of a third one left of those. Sometimes its hard to stare at them. Sometimes its a pure joy.

[@keithpetersen560]

Who buy's Macallan today with their over inflated prices and marketing gimmicks they influence on buyers. There are better options at better prices.

[@shengyang021185]

$150 for macallan 12?! You're getting ripped off! Still $65 in the states! Macallan in general today is a ripoff!

[@robinsharkey6658]

Mac is a waste of money these days brother :( hate what the big names have become for the most part.

[@sikhpilot.]

Macallan have erased all the hard work that they have previously done. Now they're desperate that their name can sell really poor whisky... horrible situation

[@robinsharkey6658]

@@sikhpilot. oh they aren't desperate, they still sell enormous quantities of whisky.

[@sikhpilot.]

@@robinsharkey6658 that is true, they sell plenty. But the market is getting educated fast. There are far superior products on the market who are not reliant on non age statements to bring in the money. Macallan are playing too many tricks with marketing and it won't last. But for those who just want to drink somthing "smooth", then long shall Macallan reign 🤣

[@xiamengbaby]

Macallan is like the Johnnie Walker of single malts.

[@MaltActivist]

hey dude - cool review. Let me know if you're up for a collab! I'm a whisky reviewer from Dubai.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Hit me up. [e-mail]

[@umami0247]

One thing is sure macallan is good at marketing however will they price themselves out of the market very possible. Is the product better I'm a big fan of macallan but will I spend the price they are asking for some of these go for no! I'll stick with the bottle I can afford which is around 80-90 dollars. Now I'll Accept any gift of a bottle of the pricey stuff but I will always look for a deal.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Makes sense. Cheers.

[@marcbos8636]

The Glenmoranchie in Holland is just 60 dollars.

[@fernandoroque1547]

Better alternative to the Macallan 12: Glenfarclas 15! Comparing the Macallan to the Quinta Ruban doesn’t make any sense in my opinion

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Not sure the Glenfarclas 15 makes much sense either. If you wanted to do apples to apples would have to be an entirely sherry aged expression. Glenturret 12 is probably the closest.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Glenallachie 15 would work as well considering it’s all sherry, cheaper and better.

[@AudioheavenDenmark]

Double cask 12 and sherry oak are not in the same family. It's a completely different whisky. Sherry oak 12 hasn't been at the same price as the double cask. :)

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Same distillery, same age and a good portion of the same casks used.

[@AudioheavenDenmark]

@@WhiskyInThe6 nope. I have a friend that works there. The cask for the sherry Oak's are much more expensive. Next time I'm over there. I can take some photos :) double and triple cask are completely different cask types. :) But great review.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Kenneth Jensen maybe you’re right but I was told the double oak has a good portion of first fill sherry cask.

[@AudioheavenDenmark]

@@WhiskyInThe6 IT has. But from different cask types. macallan has many different cask types with different way of sherry seasoning, woods ect. Also they sometimes do different cut's for the different ranges :) sherry oak 12 is one of my favourite sherry whiskies

[@PlagueKing_LordFalix]

The Macallan costs more than Uigedahl. Nuff said.

[@billyboy9810]

The Glenmorangie was aged 2 more years because I think the quality of the casks dropped, so it needed more time to get to the level of the old 12. Macallan, for all their flaws (price the main one), have always been renowned for good casks. I think they even commission casks to send to the sherry makers and then be returned after use to mature their whisky. You guys in the US and Canada seem to pay over the odds for scotch and we in the UK pay too much for bourbon. I hope we get good trade tariffs after we leave the EU.

[@RobertHorovitzND]

Great review Rob. I think we need to take a stand with reviews and dock heavily for colourant. It's inexcusable. This is a natural product. Shame on Glenmorangie. Macallan also should be absolutely ashamed of itself for their greedy, $150 price point. I'll stick with Glenlivet 18 for that price any day of the week at straight up drunken lcbo prices. An abomination for the scotch whisky industry. My opinion, ladies and gentlement.

[@petervall4626]

I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who prefers the triple cask over the double. They are the same price. No issue there? The sherry oak is definitely better, but ya the price is crazy. You’ve had the macallan ambassador on before I believe. This price jump would lend me to believe that with a global reduction in Sherry consumption has greatly reduced quality barrels. Just an abundance of washed and inferior sherry quality. Solely for the purpose of secondary use such as whisky finishing. I would be feeling that this price is because of the better barrels. Way harder to come by than in the past. I’ve been on a whisky journey on,y for about 6-7 years and rarely come across sherried whiskies that are worth the money. I thought maybe just my palate, but the more I hear about sherry matured whisky from the past, it kinda makes sense how the quality has dropped. I’m led to believe it’s not shortcuts, it’s economics. Maybe you could tap into that connection and get a better idea about it. That’s information more interesting to me for an episode than this “comparison” Keep up all your efforts, thanks for the channel

[@WhiskyInThe6]

We’ve done a podcast dealing with the decline in Sherry casks. Check it out, it may interest you.

[@MrPsiman]

Kilkerran 12 destroys both of those and way cheaper than Macallan 12. I get Glenmo 14 for $43 U.S. and it's a great value. $59 for Kilkerran 12

[@markhanson6914]

completely different whisky.

[@groberti]

Just as marked said, totally different whiskey :D Mght be better for you but that is your subjective opinion. Other people might find these tasting better than Kilkerran. These could be rather compared to smth like Glendronach or Glenfarclas

[@redslate]

Honestly, I'd take a Macallan 12 over a Glenmorangie 18.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Ya I don’t like the 18 you’re right.