Teeling 28 Year Old - Vintage Reserve Collection vs Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

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

Teeling 28 Year Old - Vintage Reserve CollectionFiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company
DistilleryTeelingThe Character of Islay Whisky Company
RegionIslay
CountryIrelandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%46.3%
Age28 yr33 yr
Price£449.95£399.95
Rating5.00/5

Teeling 28 Year Old - Vintage Reserve Collection

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value13/100

Teeling 28 Year Old - Vintage Reserve Collection

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company is better value at £400 vs £450.

For beginners: Teeling 28 Year Old - Vintage Reserve Collection is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Teeling 28 Year Old - Vintage Reserve Collection

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£449.95 vs £399.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£399.95 vs £449.95)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Teeling?

Teeling 28 Year Old - Vintage Reserve Collection 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.

Who should buy Fiona?

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old WoodDried Fruit

Only Teeling 28 Year Old - Vintage Reserve Collection

SherriedHoneyVanilla

Only Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

SmokeyMedicinal

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