Yamazaki 12 Year Old vs MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Yamazaki 12 Year Old
Yamazaki
★ 4.37
£140
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
| Yamazaki 12 Year Old | MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Yamazaki | MacNair's |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 48% |
| Age | 12 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £139.95 | £125 |
| Rating | 4.37/5 | 5.00/5 |
Yamazaki 12 Year Old
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Yamazaki 12 Year Old
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Quick verdict
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.37).
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is better value at £125 vs £140.
For beginners: Yamazaki 12 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Yamazaki 12 Year Old
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£139.95 vs £125)
- −Lower community rating (4.4 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£125 vs £139.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Yamazaki?
Yamazaki 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Who should buy MacNair's?
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Yamazaki 12 Year Old
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)