Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands
The Macallan
£1999
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
| Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Macallan | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 40.2% | 53.5% |
| Age | 34 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £1999 | £1500 |
| Rating | — | 4.50/5 |
Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Quick verdict
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is rated higher (4.50 vs 0.00).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is better value at £1500 vs £1999.
For beginners: Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (34 vs 10 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£1999 vs £1500)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.5)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.5/5)
- +More affordable (£1500 vs £1999)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
Who should buy Macallan?
Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands 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.
Who should buy Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling 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
Only Macallan 34 Year Old 1968 - Jim McEwan's Celtic Heartlands
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling