Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy Series vs Fettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)

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

Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy SeriesFettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)
DistilleryBlack BottleFettercairn
RegionOther ScotchHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV46.3%50%
AgeNAS18 yr
Price£26.74£20.03
Rating4.83/5

Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy Series

Smoke64/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner60/100
Value100/100

Fettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy Series

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Fettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy Series is rated higher (4.83 vs 0.00).

Fettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing) is better value at £20 vs £27.

For beginners: Fettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy Series

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£26.74 vs £20.03)

Fettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£20.03 vs £26.74)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Black?

Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy Series suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Who should buy Fettercairn?

Fettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Tasting notes

Only Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy Series

SherriedSmokeyOilyDried FruitCooked Fruit

Only Fettercairn 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 10839) - Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)

Malt ExtractHoneyOld WoodToasted

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