Bowmore 20 Year Old 2001 (cask 102) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky) vs Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

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

Bowmore 20 Year Old 2001 (cask 102) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation
DistilleryBowmoreGirvan
RegionIslayLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltGrain
ABV54.8%48%
Age20 yrNAS
Price£683.71£595
Rating5.00/5

Bowmore 20 Year Old 2001 (cask 102) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner55/100
Value8/100

Bowmore 20 Year Old 2001 (cask 102) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation is better value at £595 vs £684.

For beginners: Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Bowmore 20 Year Old 2001 (cask 102) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • High ABV (54.8%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£683.71 vs £595)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£595 vs £683.71)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Bowmore?

Bowmore 20 Year Old 2001 (cask 102) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky) 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 Girvan?

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.

Tasting notes

Only Bowmore 20 Year Old 2001 (cask 102) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)

SmokeySherriedChocolateToasted

Only Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

Old WoodMalt ExtractVanillaOilyNutty

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