Girvan 22 Year Old 1989 (cask 37533) (Berry Bros. & Rudd) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021

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

Girvan 22 Year Old 1989 (cask 37533) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)Big Peat at Christmas 2021
DistilleryGirvanBig Peat
RegionLowlandIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeGrainBlended Malt
ABV46%52.8%
Age22 yrNAS
Price£49.23£47.9
Rating5.00/5

Girvan 22 Year Old 1989 (cask 37533) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner80/100
Value0/100

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Smoke66/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value100/100

Girvan 22 Year Old 1989 (cask 37533) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £49.

For beginners: Girvan 22 Year Old 1989 (cask 37533) (Berry Bros. & Rudd) is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).

Girvan 22 Year Old 1989 (cask 37533) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£49.23 vs £47.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

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 £49.23)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Girvan?

Girvan 22 Year Old 1989 (cask 37533) (Berry Bros. & Rudd) 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 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 Girvan 22 Year Old 1989 (cask 37533) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

VanillaOld WoodHoneyMalt ExtractFresh Fruit

Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokeyMedicinalCoal-gasOily

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