North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
North British
£58
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£48
| North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Big Peat at Christmas 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | North British | Big Peat |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 54.3% | 52.8% |
| Age | 16 yr | NAS |
| Price | £57.5 | £47.9 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Quick verdict
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £58.
For beginners: North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
Cons
- −High ABV (54.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£57.5 vs £47.9)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£47.9 vs £57.5)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy North?
North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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.
Who should buy Big?
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 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 North British 16 Year Old 2009 (cask 5946673) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021