Big Peat at Christmas 2021 vs Kavalan Distillery Select

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

Big Peat at Christmas 2021Kavalan Distillery Select
DistilleryBig PeatKavalan
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandTaiwan
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV52.8%40%
AgeNASNAS
Price£47.9£58.5
Rating5.00/54.25/5

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

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

Kavalan Distillery Select

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner75/100
Value73/100

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Kavalan Distillery Select

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.25).

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £59.

For beginners: Kavalan Distillery Select is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£47.9 vs £58.5)

Cons

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

Kavalan Distillery Select

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£58.5 vs £47.9)
  • Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

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.

Who should buy Kavalan?

Kavalan Distillery Select suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Tasting notes

Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokeyMedicinalCoal-gasOily

Only Kavalan Distillery Select

Fresh FruitHoneyToastedVanillaMalt Extract

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