The Macallan 18 Year Old 1986 Sherry Oak vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1986 Sherry OakOld Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
DistilleryThe MacallanOld Rip Van Winkle
Region
CountryScotlandAmerica
TypeSingle MaltBourbon
ABV43%53.5%
Age18 yr10 yr
Price£2500£1500
Rating4.50/5

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1986 Sherry Oak

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

Smoke0/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value3/100

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1986 Sherry Oak

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is rated higher (4.50 vs 0.00).

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is better value at £1500 vs £2500.

For beginners: The Macallan 18 Year Old 1986 Sherry Oak is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1986 Sherry Oak

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (18 vs 10 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£2500 vs £1500)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.5)

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.5/5)
  • +More affordable (£1500 vs £2500)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (53.5%) — may need water

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1986 Sherry Oak suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Who should buy Old?

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.

Tasting notes

Only The Macallan 18 Year Old 1986 Sherry Oak

SherriedCooked FruitDried FruitChocolate

Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

VanillaToastedNuttyOily

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