The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs SMWS 11.36 9 Year Old 2008

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

The Antiquary 21 Year OldSMWS 11.36 9 Year Old 2008
DistilleryThe AntiquaryTomatin
RegionOther ScotchHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%61.8%
Age21 yr9 yr
Price£84.9£95
Rating5.00/5

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

SMWS 11.36 9 Year Old 2008

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

SMWS 11.36 9 Year Old 2008

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £95.

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
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£84.9 vs £95)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

SMWS 11.36 9 Year Old 2008

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • High ABV (61.8%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£95 vs £84.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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 SMWS?

SMWS 11.36 9 Year Old 2008 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 SMWS 11.36 9 Year Old 2008

VanillaHoneyMalt ExtractToastedFresh Fruit

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