Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits vs BenRiach 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 5278) - Pedro Ximénez Puncheon
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
North Star Spirits
★ 5.00
£117
BenRiach 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 5278) - Pedro Ximénez Puncheon
Benriach
★ 5.00
£150
| Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits | BenRiach 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 5278) - Pedro Ximénez Puncheon | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | North Star Spirits | Benriach |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43.1% | 56.4% |
| Age | 31 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £116.95 | £150 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
BenRiach 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 5278) - Pedro Ximénez Puncheon
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
BenRiach 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 5278) - Pedro Ximénez Puncheon
Quick verdict
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £150.
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
- +More affordable (£116.95 vs £150)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 13 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
BenRiach 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 5278) - Pedro Ximénez Puncheon
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£150 vs £116.95)
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 BenRiach?
BenRiach 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 5278) - Pedro Ximénez Puncheon 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.
Tasting notes
Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
Only BenRiach 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 5278) - Pedro Ximénez Puncheon