Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve vs Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Glenfiddich
★ 5.00
£199
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Benrinnes
★ 4.25
£165
| Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve | Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glenfiddich | Benrinnes |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 58.8% |
| Age | 12 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £199 | £164.66 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.25/5 |
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Quick verdict
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.25).
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) is better value at £165 vs £199.
For beginners: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£199 vs £164.66)
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£164.66 vs £199)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.8%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Glenfiddich?
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Who should buy Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) 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 Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Only Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)