North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid) vs Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)
North British
£86
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Bunnahabhain
★ 5.00
£83
| North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid) | Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | North British | Bunnahabhain |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 54.3% |
| Age | 28 yr | 14 yr |
| Price | £86.31 | £82.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Quick verdict
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £83 vs £86.
For beginners: North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (28 vs 14 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£86.31 vs £82.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£82.95 vs £86.31)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.3%) — may need water
Who should buy North?
North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.
Who should buy Bunnahabhain?
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 North British 28 Year Old 1988 (casks 6008969 & 6018969) - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)
Only Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish