Staoisha 11 Year Old 2013 - North Star Spirits vs Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

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

Staoisha 11 Year Old 2013 - North Star SpiritsStrathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail
DistilleryBunnahabhainStrathisla
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55.7%43%
Age11 yr30 yr
Price£118.95£87.07
Rating5.00/5

Staoisha 11 Year Old 2013 - North Star Spirits

Smoke67/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner75/100
Value57/100

Staoisha 11 Year Old 2013 - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is better value at £87 vs £119.

For beginners: Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Staoisha 11 Year Old 2013 - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£118.95 vs £87.07)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£87.07 vs £118.95)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Staoisha?

Staoisha 11 Year Old 2013 - North Star Spirits 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 Strathisla?

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Honey

Only Staoisha 11 Year Old 2013 - North Star Spirits

SmokeyKipperyFresh FruitMedicinal

Only Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

SherriedOld WoodDried FruitNutty

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