The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Paul John Single Cask Peated (cask #686)

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

The Antiquary 21 Year OldPaul John Single Cask Peated (cask #686)
DistilleryThe AntiquaryPaul John
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandIndia
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%59%
Age21 yrNAS
Price£84.9£97.24
Rating5.00/5

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

Paul John Single Cask Peated (cask #686)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness90/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Paul John Single Cask Peated (cask #686)

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 £97.

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 £97.24)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Paul John Single Cask Peated (cask #686)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (59%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£97.24 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 Paul?

Paul John Single Cask Peated (cask #686) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Old WoodSherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

Only Paul John Single Cask Peated (cask #686)

SmokeyVanillaNew WoodOilyMedicinal

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