Some whiskeys announce themselves with fanfare; others prefer a quieter entrance. Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey vs The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Cross-Category Face-Off belongs firmly to the latter school.
Cross-category comparisons are always fun. Today we pit a Bourbon against a Scotch: Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey takes on The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box) in a battle that transcends regional tradition.
While these two whiskeys come from different worlds, comparing them reveals what makes each style unique and which might suit your palate better.
Specifications at a Glance
| Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Scotch |
| Age | N/A | 18 years |
| ABV | 100 proof | 43% ABV (86 proof), aged 18 years, 100% malted bar |
| Price | $70.00 | $200.00 |
| Rating | 6/10 | 8/10 |
Nose
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bananas. Like a lot of bananas. That’s not bad: I mean, think of all the banana desserts that exist and entice, right? Bananas drizzled with alcohol and set on fire, bananas sliced lengthwise as a boat for ice cream, bananas processed into homemade protein bars on Instagram (which seem to be coming up a lot on my feed ever since I wrote this review). But this smells more of, like, countertop bananas. Other than banana, I get new-mown grass, and baked apples (I know, more fruit.) And hay. There is something very autumnal about the nose of this whiskey. And although spring is my favorite season, I ain’t mad. If you get past the banana, this smells like fall in a Glencairn.
The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Sherry, spiced plums, mixed berry preserves, warm cinnamon toast, butter.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: This is 100 proof. It wants to tell you! It’s shouting! There’s a slight prickle and burn at the start and finish, respectively. I want more depth of flavor, but this comes across as one-note. Some whiskeys taste more expensive than they are. This isn’t one of them. I understand the care involved in crafting a whiskey, but I wanted more and don’t find the value to be there. It’s a middle of the road whiskey.
The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Sweet, dry sherry, salted butter on a toasted english muffin. Clean and uncomplicated, yet full and satisfying.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Banana lingers with a prickle and burn on the finish.
The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Continued sherry notes from the nose right on through the finish. Charred oak on the back end with long, lingering tannic notes punctuated by sweet and very slightly salty caramel.
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
When it comes to value for money, Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey offers significantly more bang for your buck at $70.00 compared to The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box)'s $200.00.
The significant price gap between these two makes value an especially important factor in this comparison.
The Verdict
The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box) edges ahead in this comparison with a rating of 8/10 versus Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey's 6/10. It offers a more refined experience overall.
However, Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey still has plenty to offer, and depending on your taste preferences, it might be the one you reach for more often.
Read the Full Reviews
- Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Full Review
- The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box) – Full Review
Final Reflections
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey vs The Macallan 18 Year Old (Purple Box): Cross-Category Face-Off is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
