Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Blair Athol
★ 5.00
£65
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£48
| Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | Big Peat at Christmas 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Blair Athol | Big Peat |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 52.1% | 52.8% |
| Age | 8 yr | NAS |
| Price | £64.9 | £47.9 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Quick verdict
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £65.
For beginners: Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (52.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£64.9 vs £47.9)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£47.9 vs £64.9)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Blair?
Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) 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 Blair Athol 8 Year Old 2015 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021