Benriach 23 Year Old 1985 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory Bottling) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021

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

Benriach 23 Year Old 1985 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory Bottling)Big Peat at Christmas 2021
DistilleryBenriachBig Peat
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV49%52.8%
Age23 yrNAS
Price£73.45£47.9
Rating5.00/5

Benriach 23 Year Old 1985 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory Bottling)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Smoke66/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value100/100

Benriach 23 Year Old 1985 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory Bottling)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £73.

For beginners: Benriach 23 Year Old 1985 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory Bottling) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Benriach 23 Year Old 1985 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory Bottling)

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • More expensive (£73.45 vs £47.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

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 £73.45)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Benriach?

Benriach 23 Year Old 1985 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

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 Benriach 23 Year Old 1985 - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory Bottling)

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyToasted

Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokeyMedicinalCoal-gasOily

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