North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
North British
£167
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Rosebank
★ 5.00
£174
| North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | North British | Rosebank |
| Region | Lowland | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.7% | 61.4% |
| Age | 30 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £166.5 | £173.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Quick verdict
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £167 vs £174.
For beginners: North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£166.5 vs £173.95)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 25 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.7%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (61.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£173.95 vs £166.5)
Who should buy North?
North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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.
Who should buy Rosebank?
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) 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
Only North British 30 Year Old 1988 (cask 12538) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Only Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)