Clynelish 1974 / 23 Year Old / Rare Malts Highland Whisky vs The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak

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

Clynelish 1974 / 23 Year Old / Rare Malts Highland WhiskyThe Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak
DistilleryClynelishThe Macallan
RegionSpeyside
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%43%
AgeNAS21 yr
Price£1500£1500
Rating4.80/5

Clynelish 1974 / 23 Year Old / Rare Malts Highland Whisky

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value3/100

Clynelish 1974 / 23 Year Old / Rare Malts Highland Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak is rated higher (4.80 vs 0.00).

The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak is better value at £1500 vs £1500.

For beginners: The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Clynelish 1974 / 23 Year Old / Rare Malts Highland Whisky

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Clynelish?

Clynelish 1974 / 23 Year Old / Rare Malts Highland Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Only Clynelish 1974 / 23 Year Old / Rare Malts Highland Whisky

SmokeyLeatheryOilyOld WoodMedicinal

Only The Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak

SherriedVanillaChocolateDried FruitToasted

Explore more