Grand Macnish has still been one of the favourites of the Buffalo Lounge, the reason being like all of our well spirits – it’s cheap, but not shite. We’ve formally reviewed the 12 year and informally have had the 150-anniversary version, and suffice to say – this is the worst of the lot.
This is, unfortunately, another datapoint in the trend that Sherry Casked scotches are inferior, and should be abolished (there are outliers, especially if it’s part of a multiple-barrel process). This was, however, a gift from the Big (Tea) Tony C, so not a whole lot of complaining.
What they Say: “Distilled, blended & bottled by Robert Macnish & Co Glasgow, Scotland” (basically just a government warning, and bottling info)
Taste: 6.0 – Very light peat and smoke scotch flavour.
Aftertaste: 6.0 – That sherry casked whisky hits the backend though, but calmly.
Burn/Smooth: 7.5 – Overall it is actually quite smooth.
Aroma: 4.0 – You do get the sherry casking in the smell, but overall it’s just not powerful or dare we say ‘sensual’ enough to care about.
Honesty: 7.0 – We decided to give it the same score as the 12 year by virtue of not adding a bunch of extra text, but still adding the process where we must remove the RIDICULOUS pour spout and simply cork for when we actually want whisky.
Mixability: 6.0
W/ Rocks: 6.0 – Makes near as much no difference.
Rusty Nail: 6.0 – As always careful with the ratio (never the same per scotch), but this can make a good nail.
Value: 4.5 – This is a full 13 dollars more than it’s little brother, and aside from that 12 to 15 year age gap of 3 years – there isn’t a damn reason why you’d get this over the other. If however, you are looking for a budget sherry cask that doesn’t suck – sure?
Google Shop Average: $37
Website: www.whiskymerchants.co.uk/#/grand-macnish/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 4.5
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Metric Score: 41/70 |+| Metric Average: 5.86 |+| Reviewer Average: 4.5
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Final Thoughts: I was fully prepared to give this a standard 5 for being not a terrible scotch, but not great. However costing more than the standard 12 year and being inferior – nope. Sorry, bud I get that you did this primarily for tax reasons, but not gonna fly. Age it 12 years in the right cask.
