MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) vs Strathclyde 24 Year Old 1990 (cask 647548) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

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

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)Strathclyde 24 Year Old 1990 (cask 647548) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryMacNair'sStrathclyde
RegionLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltGrain
ABV48%54.7%
Age21 yr24 yr
Price£125£115.76
Rating5.00/5

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

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

Strathclyde 24 Year Old 1990 (cask 647548) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Strathclyde 24 Year Old 1990 (cask 647548) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Strathclyde 24 Year Old 1990 (cask 647548) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £116 vs £125.

For beginners: MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is more approachable (45/100 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 £115.76)

Strathclyde 24 Year Old 1990 (cask 647548) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£115.76 vs £125)
  • +Longer maturation (24 vs 21 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (54.7%) — 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 Strathclyde?

Strathclyde 24 Year Old 1990 (cask 647548) - 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Oily

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

SmokeySherriedDried Fruit

Only Strathclyde 24 Year Old 1990 (cask 647548) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

VanillaToastedMalt ExtractOld Wood

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