Benriach Arumaticus 12 Year Old (Dark Rum Finish) vs Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Benriach Arumaticus 12 Year Old (Dark Rum Finish)Lower East Side Blended Malt
DistilleryBenriachLower East Side
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£32.12£29.9
Rating4.33/55.00/5

Benriach Arumaticus 12 Year Old (Dark Rum Finish)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner65/100
Value100/100

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

Benriach Arumaticus 12 Year Old (Dark Rum Finish)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lower East Side Blended Malt

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lower East Side Blended Malt is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.33).

Lower East Side Blended Malt is better value at £30 vs £32.

For beginners: Lower East Side Blended Malt is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Benriach Arumaticus 12 Year Old (Dark Rum Finish)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£32.12 vs £29.9)
  • Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£29.9 vs £32.12)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Benriach?

Benriach Arumaticus 12 Year Old (Dark Rum 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 Lower?

Lower East Side Blended Malt is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Vanilla

Only Benriach Arumaticus 12 Year Old (Dark Rum Finish)

SmokeyCooked FruitToastedOily

Only Lower East Side Blended Malt

Fresh FruitHoneyMalt Extract

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