Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Hibiki 21 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
The Macallan
£599
Hibiki 21 Year Old
Hibiki
★ 5.00
£750
| Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) | Hibiki 21 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Macallan | Hibiki |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 57.2% | 43% |
| Age | 27 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £599 | £750 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Hibiki 21 Year Old
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Hibiki 21 Year Old
Quick verdict
Hibiki 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £599 vs £750.
For beginners: Hibiki 21 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +More affordable (£599 vs £750)
- +Longer maturation (27 vs 21 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.2%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Hibiki 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −More expensive (£750 vs £599)
Who should buy Macallan?
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) 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.
Who should buy Hibiki?
Hibiki 21 Year Old is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Hibiki 21 Year Old