Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) vs SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Banff
★ 5.00
£265
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Littlemill
£400
| Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) | SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Banff | Littlemill |
| Region | Speyside | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 41.8% | 55.8% |
| Age | 36 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £265.32 | £400 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Quick verdict
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is better value at £265 vs £400.
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
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£265.32 vs £400)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990
Pros
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (55.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£400 vs £265.32)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 SMWS?
SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990 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
Both taste of
Only Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Only SMWS 97.14 18 Year Old 1990