Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd) vs Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Smögen
£221
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£299
| Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd) | Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Smögen | Talisker |
| Region | — | Island |
| Country | Sweden | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55% | 59.4% |
| Age | 12 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £221 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Quick verdict
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd) is better value at £221 vs £299.
For beginners: Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£221 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £221)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Smögen?
Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd) 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.
Who should buy Talisker?
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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 Smögen 12 Year Old 2011 (cask 402011) - Coasts & Shores (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Only Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)