Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) vs Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Benrinnes
★ 4.25
£165
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Glenfiddich
★ 5.00
£199
| Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) | Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benrinnes | Glenfiddich |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58.8% | 40% |
| Age | 23 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £164.66 | £199 |
| Rating | 4.25/5 | 5.00/5 |
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Quick verdict
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.25).
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) is better value at £165 vs £199.
For beginners: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£164.66 vs £199)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.8%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£199 vs £164.66)
Who should buy Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) 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 Glenfiddich?
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Only Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Only Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve