Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7776) Cask Edition - Rum Barrel vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7776) Cask Edition - Rum Barrel
Benriach
£352
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Smooth Ambler
★ 5.00
£299
| Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7776) Cask Edition - Rum Barrel | Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | Smooth Ambler |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 53.6% | 47.1% |
| Age | 24 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £352.42 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7776) Cask Edition - Rum Barrel
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7776) Cask Edition - Rum Barrel
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Quick verdict
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release is better value at £299 vs £352.
For beginners: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7776) Cask Edition - Rum Barrel
Pros
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£352.42 vs £299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£299 vs £352.42)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Benriach?
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7776) Cask Edition - Rum Barrel 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 Smooth?
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Bourbon character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7776) Cask Edition - Rum Barrel
Only Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release