Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Brackla
£43
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£48
| Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Big Peat at Christmas 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Brackla | Big Peat |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 52.5% | 52.8% |
| Age | 4 yr | NAS |
| Price | £42.85 | £47.9 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Quick verdict
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £43 vs £48.
For beginners: Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +More affordable (£42.85 vs £47.9)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£47.9 vs £42.85)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Royal?
Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 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 Royal Brackla 4 Year Old 2011 (cask 939429) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021