Glenfarclas 30 Year Old vs Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)

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

Glenfarclas 30 Year OldMacallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
DistilleryGlenfarclasThe Macallan
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%57.2%
Age30 yr27 yr
Price£632.95£599
Rating5.00/5

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value8/100

Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness43/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £599 vs £633.

For beginners: Glenfarclas 30 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (30 vs 27 years)

Cons

  • More expensive (£632.95 vs £599)

Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£599 vs £632.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (57.2%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Glenfarclas?

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Macallan?

Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) 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

SherriedDried FruitOld Wood

Only Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

ChocolateTobacco

Only Macallan 1997 (bottled 2024) (cask 4359) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)

ToastedNutty

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