Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2014 (Thompson Bros.) vs Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2014 (Thompson Bros.)Lower East Side Blended Malt
DistilleryBracklaLower East Side
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV54.1%40%
Age11 yrNAS
Price£44.95£29.9
Rating5.00/5

Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2014 (Thompson Bros.)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2014 (Thompson Bros.)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lower East Side Blended Malt

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lower East Side Blended Malt is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Lower East Side Blended Malt is better value at £30 vs £45.

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

Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2014 (Thompson Bros.)

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (54.1%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£44.95 vs £29.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Royal?

Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2014 (Thompson Bros.) 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 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

Fresh FruitHoney

Only Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2014 (Thompson Bros.)

SherriedToastedDried Fruit

Only Lower East Side Blended Malt

VanillaMalt Extract

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