Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt) (52.6%) vs Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

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

Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt) (52.6%)Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts
DistilleryMaster of MaltTeaninich
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV52.6%65%
Age31 yr23 yr
Price£299.95£344.14
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt) (52.6%)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner30/100
Value17/100

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Smoke0/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner35/100
Value15/100

Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt) (52.6%)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt) (52.6%) is better value at £300 vs £344.

For beginners: Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).

Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt) (52.6%)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£299.95 vs £344.14)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 23 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.6%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Pros

  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (65%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£344.14 vs £299.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Secret?

Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt) (52.6%) 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 Teaninich?

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts 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 Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt) (52.6%)

SmokeyOld WoodLeatheryMedicinal

Only Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Hay-likeLeafyMalt ExtractVegetativeFresh Fruit

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