Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured vs Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

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

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask MaturedTarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits
DistilleryDeanstonNorth Star Spirits
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV58.7%43.5%
Age9 yr17 yr
Price£49.96£49.95
Rating5.00/5

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

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

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

Smoke64/100
Sweetness43/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits is better value at £50 vs £50.

For beginners: Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (58.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£49.96 vs £49.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£49.95 vs £49.96)
  • +Longer maturation (17 vs 9 years)

Cons

  • 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 Tarot?

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

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

Cooked FruitFresh FruitVanillaSherried

Only Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

SmokeyMalt ExtractDried FruitToastedLeafy

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