Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) vs BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
Midleton
★ 5.00
£300
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Benriach
★ 4.43
£225
| Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) | BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Midleton | Benriach |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Ireland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Pot Still | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58.2% | 46% |
| Age | NAS | 25 yr |
| Price | £300 | £225 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.43/5 |
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Quick verdict
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.43).
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated is better value at £225 vs £300.
For beginners: BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£300 vs £225)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£225 vs £300)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.4 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Midleton?
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) 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 BenRiach?
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated 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 Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
Only BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated