The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor) vs The Macallan 50 Year Old - The Red Collection 2020 Release

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

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)The Macallan 50 Year Old - The Red Collection 2020 Release
DistilleryThe MacallanThe Macallan
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%45.1%
Age48 yr50 yr
Price£38995£50500
Rating3.86/5

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

The Macallan 50 Year Old - The Red Collection 2020 Release

Smoke0/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Macallan 50 Year Old - The Red Collection 2020 Release

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor) is rated higher (3.86 vs 0.00).

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £38995 vs £50500.

For beginners: The Macallan 50 Year Old - The Red Collection 2020 Release is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (3.9/5)
  • +More affordable (£38995 vs £50500)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

The Macallan 50 Year Old - The Red Collection 2020 Release

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (50 vs 48 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£50500 vs £38995)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 3.9)

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 50 Year Old - The Red Collection 2020 Release 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

SherriedDried FruitOld WoodTobacco

Only The Macallan 50 Year Old - The Red Collection 2020 Release

Honey

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