BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089) vs Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089)
Benriach
★ 5.00
£96
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Bunnahabhain
★ 5.00
£83
| BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089) | Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | Bunnahabhain |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 59.5% | 54.3% |
| Age | 18 yr | 14 yr |
| Price | £95.52 | £82.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089)
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089)
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Quick verdict
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £83 vs £96.
For beginners: BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089) is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 14 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (59.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£95.52 vs £82.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£82.95 vs £95.52)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (54.3%) — may need water
Who should buy BenRiach?
BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089) 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 Bunnahabhain?
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 BenRiach 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 85089)
Only Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish