Benriach Importanticus 12 Year Old (Tawny Port Finish) vs Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Benriach Importanticus 12 Year Old (Tawny Port Finish)Lower East Side Blended Malt
DistilleryBenriachLower East Side
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£31.96£29.9
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Benriach Importanticus 12 Year Old (Tawny Port Finish)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner65/100
Value100/100

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

Benriach Importanticus 12 Year Old (Tawny Port Finish)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lower East Side Blended Malt

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lower East Side Blended Malt is better value at £30 vs £32.

For beginners: Lower East Side Blended Malt is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Benriach Importanticus 12 Year Old (Tawny Port Finish)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£31.96 vs £29.9)

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£29.9 vs £31.96)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Benriach?

Benriach Importanticus 12 Year Old (Tawny Port Finish) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Lower?

Lower East Side Blended Malt 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.

Tasting notes

Only Benriach Importanticus 12 Year Old (Tawny Port Finish)

SmokeySherriedChocolateDried FruitToasted

Only Lower East Side Blended Malt

Fresh FruitHoneyVanillaMalt Extract

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