Two single malts. One ultimate dram-off: Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak vs. Highland Park 12 Year Old.

The world of sherried Scotch whisky is a rich and fruity one. When you’re talking about dried fruit, spice, and that somehow appealing hint of an old leather armchair, it’s usually sherry casks doing the talking. But not all sherry-influenced whiskies wear their fruit the same way.

So today, we’re putting two heavyweight contenders head-to-head. Both are 12-year-old single malts with sherry in their DNA. Scotch fans around the world love both. But which one deserves a spot on your shelf?

Let’s break it down.

The tale of two malts

Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak

Matured entirely in seasoned oloroso sherry casks from Jerez, Macallan’s approach is all about control. They source the casks, season them with sherry themselves, and wait patiently until it’s all deep mahogany, rich fruitcake, and elegant oak.

Expect bold dried fruits, a good hit of vanilla, warm spice, and a finish that’s smoother than a jazz club in velvet trousers.

Highland Park 12 Year Old

While Macallan goes full sherry, Highland Park takes a more balanced route. Matured in a mix of European and American oak sherry-seasoned casks, it adds a distinctive twist: heather peat smoke. Not a peat monster by any stretch, but it lends a gentle savoury backbone to all the honeyed, spicy sweetness.

It’s an Orkney whisky, so expect a bit of wind in your dram – earthy, floral, coastal, and ever so slightly wild.

Flavour face-off

Which do you prefer?

Which one should you buy?

Go Macallan if…
You want that classic Speyside sherried style. Macallan 12 is all about refinement – ideal for slow sipping or impressing the in-laws. Great with a square of dark chocolate or next to a crackling fire.

Go Highland Park if…
You like a combo of smoke, spice, and honey combo. This is a versatile dram, equally good neat, with a splash of water, or even in a high-end cocktail (like a nice Rob Roy). It’s got more terrain but it’s still polished in the best way.

The verdict

Who is the winner of Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak vs. Highland Park 12 Year Old?

My call is Highland Park. I like the peat, the balance, the elegance, the way the heather, citrus, vanilla, honey, and coastal notes complement and elevate each other. Highland Park 12 Year Old was also my first go-to dram, and nothing tastes as good as nostalgia. 

But it’s all a matter of preference. Where do you side? Get both and taste away. Call it a research project.