Auchentoshan 12 Year Old vs Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Auchentoshan 12 Year Old
Auchentoshan
★ 3.72
£35

Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£47
| Auchentoshan 12 Year Old | Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Auchentoshan | Big Peat |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 53.8% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £34.5 | £46.95 |
| Rating | 3.72/5 | 5.00/5 |
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Quick verdict
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.72).
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old is better value at £35 vs £47.
For beginners: Auchentoshan 12 Year Old is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£34.5 vs £46.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lower community rating (3.7 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£46.95 vs £34.5)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Auchentoshan?
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Who should buy Big?
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 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 Auchentoshan 12 Year Old
Only Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Where to buy
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange