Cragganmore 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 4216173) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)

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

Cragganmore 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 4216173) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)
DistilleryCragganmoreDalwhinnie
RegionSpeysideHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV52.6%48.8%
Age28 yr25 yr
Price£309.18£331.43
Rating5.00/5

Cragganmore 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 4216173) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness49/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner55/100
Value15/100

Cragganmore 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 4216173) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Cragganmore 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 4216173) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £309 vs £331.

For beginners: Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Cragganmore 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 4216173) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£309.18 vs £331.43)
  • +Longer maturation (28 vs 25 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.6%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£331.43 vs £309.18)

Who should buy Cragganmore?

Cragganmore 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 4216173) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Dalwhinnie?

Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015) 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

Malt ExtractHoneyToasted

Only Cragganmore 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 4216173) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Old WoodNutty

Only Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)

VanillaFresh Fruit

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