The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 vs Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5
The Lakes Distillery
★ 5.00
£85
Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish
Tomatin
£83
| The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 | Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Lakes Distillery | Tomatin |
| Region | — | Highland |
| Country | England | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 52% | 55.3% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £84.95 | £82.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5
Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish
The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5
Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish
Quick verdict
The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish is better value at £83 vs £85.
For beginners: The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (52%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£84.95 vs £82.95)
Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish
Pros
- +More affordable (£82.95 vs £84.95)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy The?
The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 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.
Who should buy Darkness!?
Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado 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
Both taste of
Only The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5
Only Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish
Where to buy
The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Darkness! Tomatin 17 Year Old Palo Cortado Cask Finish
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange