North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - 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.
North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
North British
£102
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
| North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | North British | MacNair's |
| Region | Lowland | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 54.9% | 48% |
| Age | 22 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £102.04 | £125 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - 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).
North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £102 vs £125.
For beginners: North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +More affordable (£102.04 vs £125)
- +Longer maturation (22 vs 21 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£125 vs £102.04)
Who should buy North?
North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 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 North British 22 Year Old 1991 (cask 597958) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)