Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1 vs SMWS 73.15 17 Year Old 1988

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

Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1SMWS 73.15 17 Year Old 1988
DistilleryJack Daniel'sAultmore
RegionSpeyside
CountryAmericaScotland
TypeTennesseeSingle Malt
ABV43%56.6%
AgeNAS17 yr
Price£150£250
Rating5.00/5

Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1

Smoke0/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner85/100
Value33/100

SMWS 73.15 17 Year Old 1988

Smoke0/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

SMWS 73.15 17 Year Old 1988

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1 is better value at £150 vs £250.

For beginners: Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1 is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

SMWS 73.15 17 Year Old 1988

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£250 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Jack?

Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1 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 SMWS?

SMWS 73.15 17 Year Old 1988 suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaHoney

Only Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Series No.1

ToastedTobaccoOily

Only SMWS 73.15 17 Year Old 1988

Fresh FruitCitric

Explore more