Glenfarclas 40 Year Old vs Macallan 28 Year Old 1990 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

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

Glenfarclas 40 Year OldMacallan 28 Year Old 1990 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
DistilleryGlenfarclasThe Macallan
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%44.3%
Age40 yr28 yr
Price£1275£1319.95
Rating5.00/5

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner85/100
Value4/100

Macallan 28 Year Old 1990 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Macallan 28 Year Old 1990 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is better value at £1275 vs £1320.

For beginners: Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Glenfarclas 40 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

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Macallan 28 Year Old 1990 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£1319.95 vs £1275)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Glenfarclas?

Glenfarclas 40 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 Macallan?

Macallan 28 Year Old 1990 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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

Old WoodHoney

Only Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

SherriedDried FruitChocolate

Only Macallan 28 Year Old 1990 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

VanillaToastedMalt Extract

Explore more