Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) vs Dewar's 8 Year Old Japanese Smooth

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

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)Dewar's 8 Year Old Japanese Smooth
DistilleryMaster of MaltDewar's
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV46%40%
Age9 yr8 yr
Price£29.95£31.5
Rating5.00/54.20/5

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

Dewar's 8 Year Old Japanese Smooth

Smoke0/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Dewar's 8 Year Old Japanese Smooth

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.20).

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) is better value at £30 vs £32.

For beginners: Dewar's 8 Year Old Japanese Smooth is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£29.95 vs £31.5)
  • +Longer maturation (9 vs 8 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Dewar's 8 Year Old Japanese Smooth

Pros

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

Cons

  • More expensive (£31.5 vs £29.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.2 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Secret?

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Who should buy Dewar's?

Dewar's 8 Year Old Japanese Smooth 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

HoneyVanilla

Only Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)

Malt ExtractToastedFresh Fruit

Only Dewar's 8 Year Old Japanese Smooth

FragantCitric

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