Pittyvaich 20 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2009) vs Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Pittyvaich 20 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2009)
Pittyvaich
£499

Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Girvan
★ 5.00
£356
| Pittyvaich 20 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2009) | Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Pittyvaich | Girvan |
| Region | Speyside | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 57.5% | 43.7% |
| Age | 20 yr | 50 yr |
| Price | £499 | £356.35 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Pittyvaich 20 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2009)
Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pittyvaich 20 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2009)
Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £356 vs £499.
For beginners: Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Pittyvaich 20 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2009)
Pros
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (57.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£499 vs £356.35)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£356.35 vs £499)
- +Longer maturation (50 vs 20 years)
Cons
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Pittyvaich?
Pittyvaich 20 Year Old 1989 (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.
Who should buy Girvan?
Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Pittyvaich 20 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2009)
Only Girvan 50 Year Old 1965 (cask 10896) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)