SMWS No. 13.42 11 Year Old 1996 vs Rock Island 21 Year Old

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

SMWS No. 13.42 11 Year Old 1996Rock Island 21 Year Old
DistilleryDalmoreRock Island
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV62.5%46.8%
Age11 yr21 yr
Price£154.55£99.62
Rating5.00/5

SMWS No. 13.42 11 Year Old 1996

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Rock Island 21 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner65/100
Value50/100

SMWS No. 13.42 11 Year Old 1996

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Rock Island 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Rock Island 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Rock Island 21 Year Old is better value at £100 vs £155.

For beginners: Rock Island 21 Year Old is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

SMWS No. 13.42 11 Year Old 1996

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (62.5%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£154.55 vs £99.62)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Rock Island 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy SMWS?

SMWS No. 13.42 11 Year Old 1996 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 Rock?

Rock Island 21 Year Old 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedDried FruitOld Wood

Only SMWS No. 13.42 11 Year Old 1996

ChocolateTobacco

Only Rock Island 21 Year Old

HoneySmokey

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