Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) vs The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
The Macallan
£3995
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
The Macallan
★ 4.91
£2750
| Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) | The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Macallan | The Macallan |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 43% |
| Age | 30 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £3995 | £2750 |
| Rating | — | 4.91/5 |
Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
Quick verdict
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 is rated higher (4.91 vs 0.00).
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 is better value at £2750 vs £3995.
For beginners: Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 25 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£3995 vs £2750)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.9)
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.9/5)
- +More affordable (£2750 vs £3995)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Macallan?
Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) 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.
Who should buy The?
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Macallan 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 15636) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Only The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018