Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) vs Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£299
Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary
Shinshu
£299
| Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) | Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Talisker | Shinshu |
| Region | Island | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 59.4% | 58.9% |
| Age | 8 yr | NAS |
| Price | £299 | £299 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary
Quick verdict
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary is better value at £299 vs £299.
For beginners: Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.9%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Talisker?
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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 Mars?
Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary 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
Only Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Only Mars Shinshu 2013 (bottled 2016) (cask 1664) - Number One Drinks Company 10th Anniversary