Mars Kasei vs Tamnavulin 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

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

Mars KaseiTamnavulin 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
DistilleryMarsTamnavulin
RegionSpeyside
CountryJapanScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%54.8%
AgeNAS13 yr
Price£45.75£54.95
Rating3.60/55.00/5

Mars Kasei

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value79/100

Tamnavulin 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner50/100
Value91/100

Mars Kasei

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tamnavulin 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tamnavulin 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.60).

Mars Kasei is better value at £46 vs £55.

For beginners: Mars Kasei is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Mars Kasei

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£45.75 vs £54.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (3.6 vs 5.0)

Tamnavulin 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • High ABV (54.8%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£54.95 vs £45.75)

Who should buy Mars?

Mars Kasei 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 Tamnavulin?

Tamnavulin 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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

Both taste of

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyToasted

Only Tamnavulin 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Fresh Fruit

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