McGibbon's 12 Year Old Platinum Ribbon vs Copeland Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey

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

McGibbon's 12 Year Old Platinum RibbonCopeland Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey
DistilleryDouglas McGibbonCopeland
Region
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeBlendedBlended
ABV40%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£27.5£35.75
Rating5.00/55.00/5

McGibbon's 12 Year Old Platinum Ribbon

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Copeland Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

McGibbon's 12 Year Old Platinum Ribbon

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Copeland Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

McGibbon's 12 Year Old Platinum Ribbon is better value at £28 vs £36.

For beginners: Copeland Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

McGibbon's 12 Year Old Platinum Ribbon

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£27.5 vs £35.75)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Copeland Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£35.75 vs £27.5)

Who should buy McGibbon's?

McGibbon's 12 Year Old Platinum Ribbon is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Who should buy Copeland?

Copeland Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaHoneyFresh Fruit

Only McGibbon's 12 Year Old Platinum Ribbon

Toasted

Only Copeland Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey

Malt ExtractYeasty

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