Benriach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 4435) Marsala Cask Finish vs Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benriach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 4435) Marsala Cask Finish
Benriach
£68
Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
That Boutique-y Whisky Company
★ 5.00
£67
| Benriach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 4435) Marsala Cask Finish | Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | That Boutique-y Whisky Company |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.1% | 48.8% |
| Age | 16 yr | 11 yr |
| Price | £68.18 | £66.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benriach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 4435) Marsala Cask Finish
Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Benriach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 4435) Marsala Cask Finish
Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Quick verdict
Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £67 vs £68.
For beginners: Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Benriach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 4435) Marsala Cask Finish
Pros
- +Longer maturation (16 vs 11 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£68.18 vs £66.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£66.95 vs £68.18)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Benriach?
Benriach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 4435) Marsala Cask Finish 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 Islay?
Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Benriach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 4435) Marsala Cask Finish
Only Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)