BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated vs Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Benriach
★ 4.43
£225
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
Midleton
★ 5.00
£300
| BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated | Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | Midleton |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Ireland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Pot Still |
| ABV | 46% | 58.2% |
| Age | 25 yr | NAS |
| Price | £225 | £300 |
| Rating | 4.43/5 | 5.00/5 |
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
Quick verdict
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.43).
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated is better value at £225 vs £300.
For beginners: BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£225 vs £300)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.4 vs 5.0)
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£300 vs £225)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy BenRiach?
BenRiach 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated 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 Midleton?
Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) 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 25 Year Old Authenticus Peated
Only Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)