Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Bladnoch
£136

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
| Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bladnoch | MacNair's |
| Region | Lowland | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 48.6% | 48% |
| Age | 23 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £135.69 | £125 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Quick verdict
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is better value at £125 vs £136.
For beginners: Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£135.69 vs £125)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£125 vs £135.69)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Bladnoch?
Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.
Who should buy MacNair's?
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Bladnoch 23 Year Old 1990 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)