Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of Edinburgh vs Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

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

Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of EdinburghTalisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
DistilleryArranTalisker
RegionIslandIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.9%59.4%
Age28 yr8 yr
Price£279.95£299
Rating5.00/5

Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value17/100

Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of Edinburgh is better value at £280 vs £299.

For beginners: Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of Edinburgh is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).

Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

Pros

  • +More affordable (£279.95 vs £299)
  • +Longer maturation (28 vs 8 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (56.9%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

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
  • More expensive (£299 vs £279.95)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Arran?

Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of Edinburgh 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 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.

Tasting notes

Only Arran 28 Year Old - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

SherriedDried FruitHoneyMalt ExtractOld Wood

Only Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

SmokeyKipperyMedicinalOily

Explore more