Balvenie 30 Year Old vs The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£3193
The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
The Macallan
£3000
| Balvenie 30 Year Old | The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | The Macallan |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 44.2% | 42.3% |
| Age | 30 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £3192.95 | £2999.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balvenie 30 Year Old
The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Balvenie 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) is better value at £3000 vs £3193.
For beginners: Balvenie 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 30 Year Old
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 (£3192.95 vs £2999.95)
The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£2999.95 vs £3192.95)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 30 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 30 Year Old 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 The?
The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) 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 Balvenie 30 Year Old
Only The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)