Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish vs Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish
Starward
£84
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Bunnahabhain
★ 5.00
£83
| Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish | Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Starward | Bunnahabhain |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Australia | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50% | 54.3% |
| Age | NAS | 14 yr |
| Price | £83.62 | £82.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Quick verdict
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £83 vs £84.
For beginners: Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£83.62 vs £82.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£82.95 vs £83.62)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.3%) — may need water
Who should buy Starward?
Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish 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.
Who should buy Bunnahabhain?
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 Starward 2017 Antipodes (cask 9171) Apple Brandy Finish
Only Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish