Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) vs Bowmore The Devil's Casks II - 10 Year Old

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

Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)Bowmore The Devil's Casks II - 10 Year Old
DistilleryBanffBowmore
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV41.8%56.3%
Age36 yr10 yr
Price£265.32£399
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner70/100
Value19/100

Bowmore The Devil's Casks II - 10 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner25/100
Value13/100

Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Bowmore The Devil's Casks II - 10 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is better value at £265 vs £399.

For beginners: Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£265.32 vs £399)
  • +Longer maturation (36 vs 10 years)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Bowmore The Devil's Casks II - 10 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.3%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£399 vs £265.32)

Who should buy Banff?

Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Bowmore?

Bowmore The Devil's Casks II - 10 Year Old 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 Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

Old WoodLeatheryTobaccoMalt ExtractNutty

Only Bowmore The Devil's Casks II - 10 Year Old

SherriedCooked FruitHoneySmokeyDried Fruit

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