Strathmill 22 Year Old 1996 (cask 2101) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) vs Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set

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

Strathmill 22 Year Old 1996 (cask 2101) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set
DistilleryStrathmillMonkey Shoulder
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV55.8%40%
Age22 yrNAS
Price£104.95£79.95
Rating5.00/5

Strathmill 22 Year Old 1996 (cask 2101) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness38/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner90/100
Value63/100

Strathmill 22 Year Old 1996 (cask 2101) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set is better value at £80 vs £105.

For beginners: Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set is more approachable (90/100 beginner score).

Strathmill 22 Year Old 1996 (cask 2101) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • High ABV (55.8%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£104.95 vs £79.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Strathmill?

Strathmill 22 Year Old 1996 (cask 2101) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) 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 Monkey?

Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Malt ExtractFresh Fruit

Only Strathmill 22 Year Old 1996 (cask 2101) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

ToastedOld WoodNutty

Only Monkey Shoulder Cage Gift Set

HoneyVanillaCitric

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