Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 (bottled 2015) - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) vs Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 (bottled 2015) - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Cragganmore
£296
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Brackla
★ 5.00
£220
| Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 (bottled 2015) - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) | Royal Brackla 21 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Cragganmore | Brackla |
| Region | Speyside | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.3% | 40% |
| Age | 30 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £295.87 | £219.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 (bottled 2015) - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 (bottled 2015) - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Quick verdict
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is better value at £220 vs £296.
For beginners: Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 (bottled 2015) - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 21 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£295.87 vs £219.99)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£219.99 vs £295.87)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Cragganmore?
Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 (bottled 2015) - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) 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 Royal?
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 (bottled 2015) - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Only Royal Brackla 21 Year Old