Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Benriach
£133
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
| Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | MacNair's |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 58.4% | 48% |
| Age | 17 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £132.95 | £125 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Quick verdict
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is better value at £125 vs £133.
For beginners: Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£132.95 vs £125)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£125 vs £132.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Benriach?
Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 MacNair's?
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Benriach 17 Year Old 2005 (cask 121) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)