Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) vs The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)

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

Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)
DistilleryCragganmoreThe Macallan
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV51.4%43%
Age30 yr18 yr
Price£406.57£399
Rating5.00/5

Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner70/100
Value13/100

Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release) is better value at £399 vs £407.

For beginners: The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (30 vs 18 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (51.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£406.57 vs £399)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£399 vs £406.57)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Cragganmore?

Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) 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.

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release) 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

SherriedDried Fruit

Only Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)

Old WoodChocolateTobacco

Only The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)

VanillaToastedHoney

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