Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured vs Tobermory 14 Year Old 1996 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

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

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask MaturedTobermory 14 Year Old 1996 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
DistilleryDeanstonTobermory
RegionHighlandIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV58.7%50%
Age9 yr14 yr
Price£49.96£51.45
Rating5.00/5

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner40/100
Value100/100

Tobermory 14 Year Old 1996 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tobermory 14 Year Old 1996 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured is better value at £50 vs £51.

For beginners: Tobermory 14 Year Old 1996 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£49.96 vs £51.45)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (58.7%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Tobermory 14 Year Old 1996 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (14 vs 9 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£51.45 vs £49.96)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Deanston?

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured 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 Tobermory?

Tobermory 14 Year Old 1996 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Sherried

Only Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

Cooked FruitFresh FruitVanilla

Only Tobermory 14 Year Old 1996 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Dried FruitLeatherySmokey

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