Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965 vs The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)

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

Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryBowmoreThe Macallan
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV42%40%
Age52 yr48 yr
Price£42999£38995
Rating3.86/5

Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965

Smoke64/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor) is rated higher (3.86 vs 0.00).

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £38995 vs £42999.

For beginners: The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (52 vs 48 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£42999 vs £38995)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 3.9)

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (3.9/5)
  • +More affordable (£38995 vs £42999)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Bowmore?

Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor) 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

SherriedOld WoodDried Fruit

Only Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965

SmokeyLeatheryChocolate

Only The Macallan 48 Year Old 1969 - The Rarest of the Rare Collection (Duncan Taylor)

Tobacco

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