Macallan 12 is a go-to for many whisky lovers, but is it really worth £70 or $95?
It’s long been praised for its polished Speyside character, with sherry-seasoned sweetness, dried fruits, and gentle spice in a smooth, easy-drinking package. But as prices continue to rise, more and more drinkers are asking whether the quality still matches the cost. For the same price, or even less, you can now find whiskies offering more age, higher strength, or just as much complexity, many with serious awards behind them.
This list highlights seven alternatives that deliver better value. Some are sherry bombs, others take a different route, but all are award-winning, widely available, and seriously worth your time.
The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Price: £45 UK / ~$60 US
Awards: Gold – International Spirits Challenge 2020; over 11 major awards since launch
Smooth, honeyed and endlessly drinkable, The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 is a longtime favourite for good reason. Aged first in ex-bourbon casks, then finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry wood, it brings together soft vanilla, gentle spice and subtle dried fruits in a beautifully balanced dram.
It’s approachable without being bland, making it ideal for newcomers and seasoned drinkers alike. Often recommended as a first single malt, it’s also one of the best-value Speyside whiskies around, at nearly half the price of Macallan 12, it’s a no-brainer for daily sipping.
GlenAllachie 15 Year Old
Price: £65 UK / ~$120 US
Awards: Winner – Best Speyside Single Malt (13–20 years), World Whiskies Awards 2022
Rich, full-bodied and unapologetically bold, GlenAllachie 15 is a standout in the new wave of sherried Speyside malts. Matured in a mix of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso casks, it delivers layers of dark fruit, treacle, mocha and winter spice with a syrupy texture and lingering warmth.
Non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV, it’s a serious dram that’s earned comparisons to much older Macallans. One reviewer on Reddit called it “Macallan 18 depth at 12-year pricing” – and they’re not wrong. If you’re after sherry richness with more punch and maturity than Macallan 12, GlenAllachie 15 hits the mark.
Glenfarclas 15 Year Old
Price: £75 UK / ~$90 US
Awards: 95 points – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible; multiple gold medals across international spirits competitions
A family-owned distillery with serious heritage, Glenfarclas is known for its rich, heavily sherried house style. The 15 Year Old is a classic of the genre, dried fruits, toffee and a touch of smoke, delivered with a firm malt backbone and bottled at a robust 46% ABV.
Critics often cite its balance and depth. The Whisky Exchange calls it “gloriously sherried, sweet, gently smoky,” while Reddit users frequently list it as a smarter, more complex buy than Macallan 12. With three extra years of age and a higher strength, it offers more whisky for your money without losing elegance.
Glendronach 15 Year Old “Revival”
Price: £70 UK / ~$110 US
Awards: Best in Show – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020; multiple golds at IWSC and WWA
Matured in a mix of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, GlenDronach 15 delivers a full-bodied blast of stewed fruits, dark berries, nutmeg and oak spice. It’s non-chill filtered, bottled at 46% ABV and widely regarded as one of the richest sherried malts in its class.
Often praised by enthusiasts as a more intense and rewarding alternative to Macallan, one Reddit user called it “the better Macallan 12, without the price tag.” For fans of big sherry flavour, this one is hard to beat, powerful, polished and award-winning.
Speyburn 18 Year Old
Price: £88 UK / ~$130 US
Awards: Double Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023; Gold – IWSC 2022
Speyburn 18 is one of the most underrated age-statement single malts on the market. Matured in a combination of American and Spanish oak, it offers rich layers of toffee, dark chocolate, citrus peel and a whisper of smoke, all delivered at 46% ABV with no chill-filtration.
Despite being six years older than Macallan 12, it sits in the same price bracket. Whisky fans on Reddit call it “a ringer to go toe-to-toe with older Macallans” thanks to its depth and structure. If you want maturity without paying a premium, this hidden gem is well worth discovering.
Aberlour A’bunadh
Price: £80 UK / ~$100 US
Awards: Gold – World Whiskies Awards 2020; consistently ranked among top cask-strength sherried malts
A’bunadh (Gaelic for “the original”) is a cult classic that delivers Oloroso sherry intensity in its purest form. Each batch is bottled at natural cask strength, often around 60% ABV, with no chill-filtration or added colour. Expect a rush of dark fruit, spice, and oak with every sip.
It’s bold, rich and unapologetically powerful, something Macallan 12 simply doesn’t attempt. A’bunadh has long had a loyal following, and for good reason. If you like your sherried whisky full throttle, this is the bottle to beat. It’s a personal favourite for many, and once you’re hooked, there’s no going back.
Chivas Regal 18 Year Old (Blended Scotch)
Price: £60 UK / ~$80 US
Awards: Best Blended Scotch (18+) – IWSC 2015; multiple golds across international competitions
Chivas 18 is a masterfully blended Scotch, built around Speyside single malts like Strathisla and Longmorn. It delivers rich layers of dark chocolate, dried fruit and soft smoke, with a velvety smooth texture that’s dangerously easy to sip.
While it’s not a single malt, its 18-year age statement and consistent quality make it a bargain in comparison to Macallan 12. I enjoyed on a few too many on a Speyside trip back in 2022, and it’s easy to see why. This is elegant, understated luxury at a very fair price.
You don’t have to spend big, or default to the obvious, to enjoy a rich, rewarding dram. Whether you’re chasing bold sherry bombs, mature malts, or something silky-smooth for everyday sipping, each of these whiskies offers better value than Macallan 12 without cutting corners.
Got a go-to alternative? We’d love to hear what’s in your glass.
Read the full article at 7 Best-Value Alternatives to Macallan 12 Year Old For 2025
