MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) vs North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (Duncan Taylor)

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

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryMacNair'sNorth British
RegionLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltGrain
ABV48%52.9%
Age21 yr23 yr
Price£125£90.67
Rating5.00/5

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner45/100
Value40/100

North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £91 vs £125.

For beginners: North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).

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 £90.67)

North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£90.67 vs £125)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (52.9%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

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.

Who should buy North?

North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (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.

Tasting notes

Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)

SmokeySherriedDried FruitOily

Only North British 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 261477) - Rare Auld Grain (Duncan Taylor)

VanillaMalt ExtractToastedOld WoodCitric

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