Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Arran
£389
The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)
The Macallan
★ 5.00
£399
| Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Arran | The Macallan |
| Region | Island | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.9% | 43% |
| Age | 26 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £388.5 | £399 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)
Quick verdict
The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £389 vs £399.
For beginners: The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£388.5 vs £399)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 18 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.9%) — may need water
- −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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£399 vs £388.5)
Who should buy Arran?
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas 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
Only Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Only The Macallan 18 Year Old Triple Cask (2019 Release)