Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006)
Cragganmore
£65

Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£48
| Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006) | Big Peat at Christmas 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Cragganmore | Big Peat |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 55.5% | 52.8% |
| Age | 17 yr | NAS |
| Price | £65.45 | £47.9 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Quick verdict
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £65.
For beginners: Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
Cons
- −High ABV (55.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£65.45 vs £47.9)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£47.9 vs £65.45)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Cragganmore?
Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006) 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.
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 Cragganmore 17 Year Old 1988 (Special Release 2006)
Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021