Macallan 18 VS. Glenlivet 18

[ScotchPalate]

Over this past year I've become interested in Scotch. I went to a tasting by Glenfiddich/Balvenie and I was surprised by the complexities of the taste and aroma. I've been buying a new bottle every few months (Blended & Single Malt) and I enjoy learning and tasting. It's time to get another bottle (of course, I haven't finished a single bottle, not even a 1/4, just enjoy the variety). I've narrowed the field to these two

Macallan 18 yr.

or

Glenlivet 18 yr.

Your choice (eventually, I'll have me both ).

[Di Blasi]

I've only tasted the Macallan 18y, so I can't really say much. It's a very nice "creme brulee" in a glass. A good whisky, worth buying. Well, maybe it's a bit pricey for what it is, but anyway, you'll have to decide that. Welcome to the forum, and the unbelievable world of whisky!!

[Di Blasi]

I've only tasted the Macallan 18y, so I can't really say much. It's a very nice "creme brulee" in a glass. A good whisky, worth buying. Well, maybe it's a bit pricey for what it is, but anyway, you'll have to decide that. Welcome to the forum ScotchPalate, and the unbelievable world of whisky!!

[Drrich1965]

Not really a fair comparision, in some ways, as the Macallan is twice as much 150 verses 70 bucks, on this side of the pond. That is showing my bias though, comparing price verses age. Throwing that aside, I like both equally. They are certainly very different malts, with the Macallan 18 being much more heavily sherried...

[Frodo]

OK, here's my bias. Macallan is a nice dram. Nothing wrong with it. The price however, is...high. If this is something that stokes your fire, then great! I however don't think it's worth the coin.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[jimidrammer]

Price not the issue, but I don't like Macallans very much. The quality is there, but the profile seems stale and bitter to me. The Glenlivet 18yo is good and worth the money for comparisons to the 12yo, but might be better to compare the 21yo Archive to the Macallan 18yo. Just my $.02. And welcome to the best whisky forum in the world.

[bamber]

I prefer the 'Livet irrespective of price. The Macallan 18yo is nice enough, but a total rip-off. However, you've got to try a bottle at some point.

£65 ! For an 18yo OB.

[Lawrence]

£65 ! For an 18yo OB.

For that price you could buy a 25 YO Tomatin (in a red tube). I know what my choice would be, the Tomatin is good (and ina red tube no less).

[Scotchio]

I agree with Bamber on this. Macallan are having a laugh with their pricing policy. The last Glenlivet 18 I had was superb. I tried a Macallan 18 at around the same time and was very unimpressed. You could always pick up a mini of Macallan 18 but I'd go for a full bottle of the livet any time.

[ScotchPalate]

Scothio,
Do you know where I could find a mini of the Macallan 18? I've tried locally, but can't find any here in Tucson, AZ USA. Thanks.

ScotchPalate

[Frodo]

I prefer the 'Livet irrespective of price. The Macallan 18yo is nice enough, but a total rip-off. However, you've got to try a bottle at some point.

£65 ! For an 18yo OB.

Over here, the 18yr Macallan is $180 cdn or 90 GBP!! Compared to $90 or 45 GBP for the 18yr Glenlivet...

[heatmiser]

I have recently tried both side by side and actually prefer the Glenlivet 18 regardless of price. If you like the sherry influence I would go with the Dalwhinnie 15 year which is (IMO) better than the Macallan 18 and less than 1/2 the price. The Balvenie 15 is a good choice as well.

The Macallan 18 is a good scotch whisky but at that 1/2 the price there are better bottles available. Why is Macallan so expensive anyway? Marketing?

[bamber]

I prefer the 'Livet irrespective of price. The Macallan 18yo is nice enough, but a total rip-off. However, you've got to try a bottle at some point.

£65 ! For an 18yo OB.

Over here, the 18yr Macallan is $180 cdn or 90 GBP!! Compared to $90 or 45 GBP for the 18yr Glenlivet...

Here I've bought the 'Livet for £25 on a couple of occasions and it can usually be got for £30. Often the same price as the 15yo and 12yo I think it is a real bargain.

So £90 for the 18yo Mac - good thing it is not your favourite pour !

[Deactivated Member]

I've had both open at the same time and I seem to remember finishing off the Glenlivet 18 first - by some margin. I have also purchased another bottle of the stuff which means I must like it

The Macallan didn't push ma buttons. Nice enough drop but for an 18 I'd far prefer Glenfiddich or HP. I've no plans to buy another bottle.

[Scotchio]

If you are really trying new stuff out why not give a more reasonably priced sherried Speysider a crack eg Glenfarclas105(available in 35cl) or Aberlour Abunarr... a big fave on this forum and top value. If you like these then the Mac 18 may be worth a crack for you.

[Lawrence]

I know it wasn't originally asked but I can't help but wanting to mention Glenfiddich 18 as an alternative to the other two.

[Frodo]

If you are really trying new stuff out why not give a more reasonably priced sherried Speysider a crack eg Glenfarclas105(available in 35cl) or Aberlour Abunarr... a big fave on this forum and top value. If you like these then the Mac 18 may be worth a crack for you.

I just tried the 16yr Abelour yesterday, and I found it very impressive! Much more so than the CS (more balanced), and more forward and focused flavours than the 10. A GREAT sherried dram IMO.

[Lawrence]

Aberlour continues to impress many people, their whiskies are just becoming better and better.

[lexvo]

I don't know the MacAllan. The Glenlivet 18 is a nice whisky, however I personally feel it lacks some 'depth'. I think I like Glenfiddich 18 more.

[singo]

This is my first post, so please be gentle

Happened to buy the Glenlivet 18 yesterday, and just cracked it open. Marginally better than the Macallan 18 in my opinion. It starts off just as smooth, with a buttery taste, but the aftertaste is warming rather than the sharp and slightly bitter hit from the Macallan.

Both are above average without being show-stoppers.

[Oliver]

Wow! The Edrington group really did screw things up for what once was a great distillery! I remember when the Mac 18 was half the price it is today --and it was one of the best malts out there to... Of course it was a real vintage, not a vatting of whatever is left, that's over 18 years old.
We have indeed entered the era of the decline of the macallan...

[DramMeister]

I don't know the MacAllan. The Glenlivet 18 is a nice whisky, however I personally feel it lacks some 'depth'. I think I like Glenfiddich 18 more.

I think they are very different drams, the Glenlivet is much lighter. I personally find the Glenfiddich 18 a little too oaky. My vote would go to the Glenlivet. I've never had Mac 18 - too stingey.

[Drrich1965]

I don't know the MacAllan. The Glenlivet 18 is a nice whisky, however I personally feel it lacks some 'depth'. I think I like Glenfiddich 18 more.

I think they are very different drams, the Glenlivet is much lighter. I personally find the Glenfiddich 18 a little too oaky. My vote would go to the Glenlivet. I've never had Mac 18 - too stingey.

The Mac 18s used to vary a great deal (well, I only had a few) when they were vintage dated. They also were very good. I have not had a new 18.

[Frodo]

This is my first post, so please be gentle

Happened to buy the Glenlivet 18 yesterday, and just cracked it open. Marginally better than the Macallan 18 in my opinion. It starts off just as smooth, with a buttery taste, but the aftertaste is warming rather than the sharp and slightly bitter hit from the Macallan.

Both are above average without being show-stoppers.

Welcome to the forum Singo! It looks like you've been doing your research! As it happens, I agree with your assessment, but I like the Glenlivet slightly more...

[agtepstein]

I would go with the Glenlivet between the two. I think many may bash it for being not as complex as some others, but it is a top notch single in my book and I am always impressed with the entire Glenlivet lineup.

My favorite of the batch though is the Glenlivet 15Yr French Oak.

[PeatPirate]

Hi all,


I'm a bit surprised by the results of this poll. Macallan 18 is one of my personal favourites, I tasted the Glenlivet 18Y once or twice and thought it lacked some depth and complexity for an 18 Year old Speysider. So I expected The Mac to win this poll easily


But I know there are some Macallan 18Y vintages which are not so special either. I think because of this, you can't really compare Macallan 18 with other whisky's, without naming the vintage.

For those who mentioned the Glenfiddich 18 in this thread. I agree Nice and underrated whisky IMHO.


Greetz PP

[ScotchPalate]

Well,
I decided to get the Glenlivet 18 (first). It was a lot easier on my budget ($60), around here the Macallan 18 goes for $145 (before tax, sin tax and surplus overcharge). I got a Macallan 12 Mini to try. If it really appeals to me, I might save up for the Mac 18. Although, I'm hearing a lot of great things about Highland Park 18 and of course, there's the Balvenie 21 Year I've been wanting.

ScotchPalate

[Drrich1965]

Well,
I decided to get the Glenlivet 18 (first). It was a lot easier on my budget ($60), around here the Macallan 18 goes for $145 (before tax, sin tax and surplus overcharge). I got a Macallan 12 Mini to try. If it really appeals to me, I might save up for the Mac 18. Although, I'm hearing a lot of great things about Highland Park 18 and of course, there's the Balvenie 21 Year I've been wanting.

ScotchPalate

The HP 18 is a wonderful malt. Very different than the other two; in the middle price wise. Wonderfully complex mixture of peat, heather, honey (heather with honey), sweet fruit, intene, complex...Of the Macallans, I actaully like the Fine Oak 15 a great deal...

[irishwhiskeychaser]

I can't vote on this as I can't say I've enjoyed either

[Admiral]

Wow! I just voted and was amazed to see that the Glenlivet had the majority of votes!!

The Glenlivet 18 was a cracking dram about 5 years ago, but methinks it has gone south somewhat. I wonder how many peoples' votes were swayed by anti-Macallan sentiments?

CHeers,
AD

[Jacques]

I am fairly new to S. Malts... bog on blended though...
In my opinion, I do like very much the Glenlivet 18 and can find it very cheap... around 50$ a bottle... for the Macallan, IMHO, you do have to consider the 18 we are talking about... just had recently the 1972 and it was very good... waiting the 1979 and 1980 to arrive home.... just came about them 2...
for me, they are both special... I do agree however with the rest, that the Macallan is expensive though...

By the way, I am just getting into trying to purchase a cask of Macallan with 10 yrs. and plan to keep it for at least another 8 or 11... any opinions... am I doing the right thing??
Thanks..

[Les Paul]

I prefer The Macallan 18...but not by much.

[Danny]

Ah! Poor Macallan, gets beat up so bad, still out sells any number of other distilleries, where are all those folks when it being abused.

Glenlivet 18 is a wonderfull dram, but I will take the new sherried 18 year Macallan first, just can not buy as many as I would like.

I have 18 year olds of The Macallan, The Glenlivet, Caol Ila, HP and Talisker and depending on my mood they are all number ones. So is my Springbank 15, wonderfull drink.

[peergynt323]

Not a fair comparison. I've bought three bottles of Glenlivet 18 and one of Macallan 18, so that's the value winner. But I've tasted few whiskies as pleasurable as Macallan 18 (and this is coming from someone who hates the 12 with a fiery passion).

[les taylor]

I love the Macallan.