Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
Lochnagar
£69
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£48
| Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) | Big Peat at Christmas 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lochnagar | Big Peat |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 52.8% |
| Age | 18 yr | NAS |
| Price | £68.77 | £47.9 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
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 £69.
For beginners: Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£68.77 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 £68.77)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Royal?
Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) 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 Royal Lochnagar 18 Year Old 1996 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021