Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) vs Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

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

Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits
DistilleryBraeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet)North Star Spirits
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV57.7%43.5%
Age9 yr17 yr
Price£49.95£49.95
Rating5.00/5

Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner55/100
Value100/100

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

Smoke64/100
Sweetness43/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits is better value at £50 vs £50.

For beginners: Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (17 vs 9 years)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Braeval?

Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Who should buy Tarot?

Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Dried Fruit

Only Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SherriedChocolateHoneyOily

Only Tarot Blend 17 Year Old 2007 "The Empress" - North Star Spirits

SmokeyMalt ExtractToastedLeafy

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