Arran 20 Year Old - Explorers Series Volume 1 - Brodick Bay vs Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

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

Arran 20 Year Old - Explorers Series Volume 1 - Brodick BayFiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company
DistilleryArranThe Character of Islay Whisky Company
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV49.8%46.3%
Age20 yr33 yr
Price£499£399.95
Rating5.00/5

Arran 20 Year Old - Explorers Series Volume 1 - Brodick Bay

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value13/100

Arran 20 Year Old - Explorers Series Volume 1 - Brodick Bay

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company is better value at £400 vs £499.

For beginners: Arran 20 Year Old - Explorers Series Volume 1 - Brodick Bay is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Arran 20 Year Old - Explorers Series Volume 1 - Brodick Bay

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£499 vs £399.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£399.95 vs £499)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Arran?

Arran 20 Year Old - Explorers Series Volume 1 - Brodick Bay 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 Fiona?

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Dried Fruit

Only Arran 20 Year Old - Explorers Series Volume 1 - Brodick Bay

SherriedHoneyVanillaOily

Only Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

SmokeyOld WoodMedicinal

Explore more