Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet) vs Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet)
Macduff
£150
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£113
| Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet) | Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Macduff | Talisker |
| Region | Highland | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.3% | 57.3% |
| Age | 20 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £150 | £112.5 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Quick verdict
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is better value at £113 vs £150.
For beginners: Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 15 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£150 vs £112.5)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.3%) — may need water
Who should buy Macduff?
Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet) 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.
Who should buy Talisker?
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Only Macduff 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 170120) - Lost Drams Collection (Valinch & Mallet)
Only Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)