Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) vs Box 2nd Step Collection 03

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

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)Box 2nd Step Collection 03
DistilleryMaster of MaltBox
Region
CountryScotlandSweden
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%51.3%
Age9 yrNAS
Price£29.95£27.17
Rating5.00/5

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)

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

Box 2nd Step Collection 03

Smoke64/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Box 2nd Step Collection 03

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Box 2nd Step Collection 03 is better value at £27 vs £30.

For beginners: Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£29.95 vs £27.17)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Box 2nd Step Collection 03

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£27.17 vs £29.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (51.3%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 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 Box?

Box 2nd Step Collection 03 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

Both taste of

VanillaToastedFresh Fruit

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

HoneyMalt Extract

Only Box 2nd Step Collection 03

Smokey

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