Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice vs MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
Balblair
£178
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
| Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice | MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | MacNair's |
| Region | Highland | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 55.2% | 48% |
| Age | 20 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £178.12 | £125 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Quick verdict
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is better value at £125 vs £178.
For beginners: MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£178.12 vs £125)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£125 vs £178.12)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - 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 MacNair's?
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)