The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 vs The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)

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

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
DistilleryThe MacallanThe Macallan
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%42.3%
Age25 yr31 yr
Price£2750£2999.95
Rating4.91/5

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value2/100

The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 is rated higher (4.91 vs 0.00).

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 is better value at £2750 vs £3000.

For beginners: The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.9/5)
  • +More affordable (£2750 vs £2999.95)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 25 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£2999.95 vs £2750)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.9)

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018 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 The?

The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) 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 FruitChocolate

Only The Macallan 25 Year Old Sherry Oak - Pre 2018

Tobacco

Only The Macallan 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 15149) - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)

Nutty

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