Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) vs Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Yamazaki
★ 5.00
£7299
Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland)
The Macallan
£5995
| Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) | Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Yamazaki | The Macallan |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48% | 52.6% |
| Age | 18 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £7299 | £5995 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Quick verdict
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland) is better value at £5995 vs £7299.
For beginners: Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −More expensive (£7299 vs £5995)
Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Pros
- +More affordable (£5995 vs £7299)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 18 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (52.6%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Yamazaki?
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Macallan?
Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland) 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 Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Only Macallan 31 Year Old - Director’s Special (The Single Malts of Scotland)