The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 vs Karuizawa 33 Year Old 1981 (cask 136)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
The Macallan
★ 4.91
£2750
Karuizawa 33 Year Old 1981 (cask 136)
Karuizawa
£3995
| The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 | Karuizawa 33 Year Old 1981 (cask 136) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Macallan | Karuizawa |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 55.3% |
| Age | 25 yr | 33 yr |
| Price | £2750 | £3995 |
| Rating | 4.91/5 | — |
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
Karuizawa 33 Year Old 1981 (cask 136)
The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
Karuizawa 33 Year Old 1981 (cask 136)
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: 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 £3995)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Karuizawa 33 Year Old 1981 (cask 136)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (33 vs 25 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£3995 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 Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 33 Year Old 1981 (cask 136) 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
Only The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018
Only Karuizawa 33 Year Old 1981 (cask 136)