Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail vs Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 11480) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail
Strathisla
★ 5.00
£87
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 11480) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Clynelish
★ 4.00
£109
| Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail | Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 11480) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Strathisla | Clynelish |
| Region | Speyside | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 57.2% |
| Age | 30 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £87.07 | £108.64 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.00/5 |
Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 11480) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 11480) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is better value at £87 vs £109.
For beginners: Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£87.07 vs £108.64)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 11480) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (57.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£108.64 vs £87.07)
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Strathisla?
Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail 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 Clynelish?
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 11480) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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 Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail
Only Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 11480) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)