BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish vs Unnamed Islay 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 4349) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

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

BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry FinishUnnamed Islay 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 4349) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
DistilleryBenriachSignatory
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55.4%51.9%
Age15 yr31 yr
Price£299£399.95
Rating5.00/5

BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner50/100
Value17/100

Unnamed Islay 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 4349) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Unnamed Islay 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 4349) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish is better value at £299 vs £400.

For beginners: BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).

BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£299 vs £399.95)

Cons

  • High ABV (55.4%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Unnamed Islay 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 4349) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 15 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (51.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£399.95 vs £299)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy BenRiach?

BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish 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 Unnamed?

Unnamed Islay 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 4349) - 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

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

SherriedDried FruitHoneyVanilla

Only Unnamed Islay 31 Year Old 1990 (cask 4349) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

SmokeyLeatheryOily

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