Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits vs Girvan 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 911245) - Cask Strength Series (The Red Cask Company)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star SpiritsGirvan 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 911245) - Cask Strength Series (The Red Cask Company)
DistilleryNorth Star SpiritsGirvan
RegionLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltGrain
ABV43.1%52.9%
Age31 yr26 yr
Price£116.95£159.95
Rating5.00/5

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner60/100
Value43/100

Girvan 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 911245) - Cask Strength Series (The Red Cask Company)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Girvan 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 911245) - Cask Strength Series (The Red Cask Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £160.

For beginners: Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£116.95 vs £159.95)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 26 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Girvan 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 911245) - Cask Strength Series (The Red Cask Company)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness

Cons

  • High ABV (52.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£159.95 vs £116.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Sirius?

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Who should buy Girvan?

Girvan 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 911245) - Cask Strength Series (The Red Cask Company) 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

Both taste of

Old WoodVanilla

Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Nutty

Only Girvan 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 911245) - Cask Strength Series (The Red Cask Company)

SherriedCooked FruitHoney

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