Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) vs Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Thompson Bros.
£229
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Teeling
★ 5.00
£176
| Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) | Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Thompson Bros. | Teeling |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Scotland | Ireland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51% | 46% |
| Age | 35 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £228.95 | £175.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Quick verdict
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is better value at £176 vs £229.
For beginners: Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (51%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£228.95 vs £175.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£175.95 vs £228.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Side?
Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) 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.
Who should buy Teeling?
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Side Burn Blended Malt 35 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Only Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask