Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018) vs Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

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

Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts
DistilleryObanTeaninich
RegionHighlandHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV57.9%65%
Age21 yr23 yr
Price£452.96£344.14
Rating5.00/5

Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness85/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

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

Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts is better value at £344 vs £453.

For beginners: Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).

Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (57.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£452.96 vs £344.14)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£344.14 vs £452.96)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (65%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Oban?

Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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 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 Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

LeatheryOld WoodSmokeyMedicinalHoney

Only Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Hay-likeLeafyMalt ExtractVegetativeFresh Fruit

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