Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) vs Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask

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

Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask
DistilleryMacduffEdradour
RegionHighlandHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55%55%
Age20 yr13 yr
Price£75.3£66.84
Rating5.00/5

Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness49/100
Beginner50/100
Value66/100

Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask

Smoke64/100
Sweetness67/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask is better value at £67 vs £75.

For beginners: Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 13 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£75.3 vs £66.84)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +More affordable (£66.84 vs £75.3)

Cons

  • High ABV (55%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Macduff?

Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) 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 Ballechin?

Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Only Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Malt ExtractHoneyToastedOld WoodNutty

Only Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask

SmokeySherriedCooked FruitVanillaLeathery

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