The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask (59.4%)

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

The Antiquary 21 Year OldKavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask (59.4%)
DistilleryThe AntiquaryKavalan
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandTaiwan
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%59.4%
Age21 yrNAS
Price£84.9£112.02
Rating5.00/55.00/5

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner75/100
Value59/100

Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask (59.4%)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner35/100
Value45/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask (59.4%)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £112.

For beginners: The Antiquary 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£84.9 vs £112.02)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask (59.4%)

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£112.02 vs £84.9)

Who should buy The?

The Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Who should buy Kavalan?

Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask (59.4%) 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 The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Old WoodSherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

Only Kavalan Solist ex-Bourbon Cask (59.4%)

VanillaFresh FruitHoneyMalt ExtractToasted

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