Benriach 17 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021

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

Benriach 17 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry FinishBig Peat at Christmas 2021
DistilleryBenriachBig Peat
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%52.8%
Age17 yrNAS
Price£68.42£47.9
Rating4.50/55.00/5

Benriach 17 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner65/100
Value66/100

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Smoke66/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value100/100

Benriach 17 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £68.

For beginners: Benriach 17 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

Benriach 17 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£68.42 vs £47.9)
  • Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£47.9 vs £68.42)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Benriach?

Benriach 17 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish 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 Big?

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 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 Benriach 17 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

SherriedCooked FruitHoneyDried Fruit

Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokeyMedicinalCoal-gasOily

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