Royal Lochnagar 23 Year Old 1973 - Rare Malts vs Big Peat 33 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Royal Lochnagar 23 Year Old 1973 - Rare Malts
Lochnagar
★ 4.00
£295
Big Peat 33 Year Old
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£250
| Royal Lochnagar 23 Year Old 1973 - Rare Malts | Big Peat 33 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lochnagar | Big Peat |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 59.7% | 47.2% |
| Age | 23 yr | 33 yr |
| Price | £294.63 | £249.95 |
| Rating | 4.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Royal Lochnagar 23 Year Old 1973 - Rare Malts
Big Peat 33 Year Old
Royal Lochnagar 23 Year Old 1973 - Rare Malts
Big Peat 33 Year Old
Quick verdict
Big Peat 33 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
Big Peat 33 Year Old is better value at £250 vs £295.
For beginners: Big Peat 33 Year Old is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Royal Lochnagar 23 Year Old 1973 - Rare Malts
Pros
- +Intense, complex peat smoke character
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −Challenging for beginners — intense and polarising
- −High ABV (59.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£294.63 vs £249.95)
Big Peat 33 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£249.95 vs £294.63)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Royal?
Royal Lochnagar 23 Year Old 1973 - Rare Malts is for peat enthusiasts and experienced whisky lovers who appreciate bold, smoky, medicinal character. If you enjoy Ardbeg or Laphroaig, this is your dram. Not recommended for beginners.
Who should buy Big?
Big Peat 33 Year Old 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
Only Royal Lochnagar 23 Year Old 1973 - Rare Malts
Only Big Peat 33 Year Old