The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Clynelish 16 Year Old 1997 (The Whisky Club)

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

The Antiquary 21 Year OldClynelish 16 Year Old 1997 (The Whisky Club)
DistilleryThe AntiquaryClynelish
RegionOther ScotchHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%56.7%
Age21 yr16 yr
Price£84.9£64.95
Rating5.00/5

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

Clynelish 16 Year Old 1997 (The Whisky Club)

Smoke65/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Clynelish 16 Year Old 1997 (The Whisky Club)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Clynelish 16 Year Old 1997 (The Whisky Club) is better value at £65 vs £85.

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)
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 16 years)

Cons

  • More expensive (£84.9 vs £64.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Clynelish 16 Year Old 1997 (The Whisky Club)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£64.95 vs £84.9)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (56.7%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

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 Clynelish?

Clynelish 16 Year Old 1997 (The Whisky Club) 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

Both taste of

Old WoodTobacco

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SherriedDried FruitNutty

Only Clynelish 16 Year Old 1997 (The Whisky Club)

LeatherySmokeyKippery

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