The Speyside 12 Year Old vs Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old

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

The Speyside 12 Year OldWeeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old
DistillerySpeysideWeeknight Whisky
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%40%
Age12 yr8 yr
Price£28.67£31.95
Rating4.93/55.00/5

The Speyside 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner70/100
Value100/100

The Speyside 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.93).

The Speyside 12 Year Old is better value at £29 vs £32.

For beginners: The Speyside 12 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

The Speyside 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£28.67 vs £31.95)
  • +Longer maturation (12 vs 8 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • More expensive (£31.95 vs £28.67)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy The?

The Speyside 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 Weeknight?

Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Tasting notes

Only The Speyside 12 Year Old

HoneyMalt ExtractFresh FruitVanillaToasted

Only Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old

SmokeyMedicinalOilyLeathery

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