SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990 vs Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Littlemill
£400
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Banff
★ 5.00
£265
| SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990 | Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Littlemill | Banff |
| Region | Lowland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.8% | 41.8% |
| Age | 18 yr | 36 yr |
| Price | £400 | £265.32 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is better value at £265 vs £400.
For beginners: Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Pros
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (55.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£400 vs £265.32)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£265.32 vs £400)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy SMWS?
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990 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.
Who should buy Banff?
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Only Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)