Cragganmore 12 Year Old vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021

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

Cragganmore 12 Year OldBig Peat at Christmas 2021
DistilleryCragganmoreBig Peat
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV40%52.8%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£44.5£47.9
Rating4.31/55.00/5

Cragganmore 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner75/100
Value97/100

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Smoke66/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value100/100

Cragganmore 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.31).

Cragganmore 12 Year Old is better value at £45 vs £48.

For beginners: Cragganmore 12 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Cragganmore 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£44.5 vs £47.9)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£47.9 vs £44.5)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Cragganmore?

Cragganmore 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Big?

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 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 Cragganmore 12 Year Old

SherriedMalt ExtractDried Fruit

Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokeyMedicinalCoal-gasOily

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