BenRiach 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 95171) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

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

BenRiach 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 95171) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)
DistilleryBenriachCraigellachie
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%51%
Age20 yr12 yr
Price£96.95£72.95
Rating5.00/5

BenRiach 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 95171) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner80/100
Value0/100

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness44/100
Beginner50/100
Value69/100

BenRiach 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 95171) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics) is better value at £73 vs £97.

For beginners: BenRiach 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 95171) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).

BenRiach 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 95171) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£96.95 vs £72.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£72.95 vs £96.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (51%) — may need water

Who should buy BenRiach?

BenRiach 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 95171) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Who should buy Craigellachie?

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics) 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 BenRiach 20 Year Old 1995 (cask 95171) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

HoneyVanillaFresh FruitMalt ExtractCitric

Only Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

SherriedDried FruitToastedCooked FruitNutty

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