The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 vs Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012)

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

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012)
DistilleryThe MacallanTalisker
RegionSpeysideIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%54.6%
Age25 yr35 yr
Price£2750£2500
Rating4.91/55.00/5

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

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

Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner35/100
Value2/100

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.91).

Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012) is better value at £2500 vs £2750.

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
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£2750 vs £2500)
  • Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£2500 vs £2750)
  • +Longer maturation (35 vs 25 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (54.6%) — may need water

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 Talisker?

Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012) 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 WoodDried Fruit

Only The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

SherriedChocolateTobacco

Only Talisker 35 Year Old 1977 (Special Release 2012)

SmokeyLeathery

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