Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) vs North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

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

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)
DistilleryDouglas LaingNorth British
RegionLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltGrain
ABV46%51.7%
AgeNAS13 yr
Price£36.52£60.52
Rating5.00/5

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is better value at £37 vs £61.

For beginners: Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£36.52 vs £60.52)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (51.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£60.52 vs £36.52)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Speyside?

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) 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 North?

North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid) 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 Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)

Malt ExtractVanillaFresh Fruit

Only North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

SherriedHoneyDried FruitTobaccoToasted

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