Royal Brackla 21 Year Old vs Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Brackla
★ 5.00
£220
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Benrinnes
★ 4.25
£165
| Royal Brackla 21 Year Old | Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Brackla | Benrinnes |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 58.8% |
| Age | 21 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £219.99 | £164.66 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.25/5 |
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Quick verdict
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.25).
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) is better value at £165 vs £220.
For beginners: Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −More expensive (£219.99 vs £164.66)
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£164.66 vs £219.99)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.8%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Royal?
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
Who should buy Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) 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
Only Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
Only Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)