Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 (Thompson Bros.) vs Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask

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

Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 (Thompson Bros.)Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
DistilleryImperialTeeling
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV53.1%46%
Age23 yr21 yr
Price£159.95£175.95
Rating5.00/5

Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 (Thompson Bros.)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner60/100
Value28/100

Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 (Thompson Bros.)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 (Thompson Bros.) is better value at £160 vs £176.

For beginners: Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 (Thompson Bros.)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£159.95 vs £175.95)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (53.1%) — may need water
  • 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 widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£175.95 vs £159.95)

Who should buy Imperial?

Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 (Thompson Bros.) 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 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

Only Imperial 23 Year Old 1995 (Thompson Bros.)

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyToastedOld Wood

Only Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask

SherriedDried FruitCooked FruitChocolate

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