Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask vs Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask
Edradour
£67
Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Macduff
★ 5.00
£75
| Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask | Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Edradour | Macduff |
| Region | Highland | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55% | 55% |
| Age | 13 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £66.84 | £75.3 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask
Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask
Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Quick verdict
Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask is better value at £67 vs £75.
For beginners: Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£66.84 vs £75.3)
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 13 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£75.3 vs £66.84)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ballechin?
Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Macduff?
Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) 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 Ballechin 13 Year Old 2004 (cask 208) - Straight From The Cask
Only Macduff 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 7869 & 7872) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)