Allt-á-Bhainne 28 Year Old 1996 (Thompson Bros.) vs Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)

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

Allt-á-Bhainne 28 Year Old 1996 (Thompson Bros.)Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
DistilleryAllt-á-BhainneRosebank
RegionSpeysideLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV49.1%61.4%
Age28 yr25 yr
Price£224.95£173.95
Rating5.00/5

Allt-á-Bhainne 28 Year Old 1996 (Thompson Bros.)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness43/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner35/100
Value29/100

Allt-á-Bhainne 28 Year Old 1996 (Thompson Bros.)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is better value at £174 vs £225.

For beginners: Allt-á-Bhainne 28 Year Old 1996 (Thompson Bros.) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Allt-á-Bhainne 28 Year Old 1996 (Thompson Bros.)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (28 vs 25 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£224.95 vs £173.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£173.95 vs £224.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (61.4%) — may need water

Who should buy Allt-á-Bhainne?

Allt-á-Bhainne 28 Year Old 1996 (Thompson Bros.) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Rosebank?

Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) 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

Old Wood

Only Allt-á-Bhainne 28 Year Old 1996 (Thompson Bros.)

SherriedDried FruitToastedNutty

Only Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)

VanillaMalt ExtractHay-likeFresh Fruit

Explore more