Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice vs Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg
£390
Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail)
Tamdhu
★ 5.00
£395
| Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice | Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Tamdhu |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.9% | 43% |
| Age | 24 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £389.54 | £395 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail)
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail)
Quick verdict
Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £390 vs £395.
For beginners: Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£389.54 vs £395)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.9%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 24 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£395 vs £389.54)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice 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 Tamdhu?
Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Tamdhu 30 Year Old - The MacPhail's Collection (Gordon and MacPhail)