Benrinnes 11 Year Old 2006 (Malt of The Earth) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021

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

Benrinnes 11 Year Old 2006 (Malt of The Earth)Big Peat at Christmas 2021
DistilleryBenrinnesBig Peat
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%52.8%
Age11 yrNAS
Price£57.66£47.9
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Benrinnes 11 Year Old 2006 (Malt of The Earth)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner80/100
Value87/100

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Smoke66/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value100/100

Benrinnes 11 Year Old 2006 (Malt of The Earth)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £58.

For beginners: Benrinnes 11 Year Old 2006 (Malt of The Earth) is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).

Benrinnes 11 Year Old 2006 (Malt of The Earth)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£57.66 vs £47.9)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£47.9 vs £57.66)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Benrinnes?

Benrinnes 11 Year Old 2006 (Malt of The Earth) 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 Big?

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 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 Benrinnes 11 Year Old 2006 (Malt of The Earth)

VanillaDried FruitHoneyCitric

Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokeyMedicinalCoal-gasOily

Explore more