The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 vs Brora 34 Year Old 1982 (Special Release 2017)

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

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018Brora 34 Year Old 1982 (Special Release 2017)
DistilleryThe MacallanBrora
RegionSpeysideHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%51.9%
Age25 yr34 yr
Price£2750£2999
Rating4.91/5

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value2/100

Brora 34 Year Old 1982 (Special Release 2017)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Brora 34 Year Old 1982 (Special Release 2017)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £2999.

For beginners: The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

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 £2999)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Brora 34 Year Old 1982 (Special Release 2017)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (34 vs 25 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (51.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£2999 vs £2750)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.9)

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.

Who should buy Brora?

Brora 34 Year Old 1982 (Special Release 2017) 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

Both taste of

Old WoodTobacco

Only The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

SherriedDried FruitChocolate

Only Brora 34 Year Old 1982 (Special Release 2017)

SmokeyMalt ExtractLeathery

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