Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old 2009 - North Star Spirits vs Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

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

Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old 2009 - North Star SpiritsStrathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail
DistilleryBunnahabhainStrathisla
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV52.3%43%
Age11 yr30 yr
Price£122.5£87.07
Rating3.67/55.00/5

Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old 2009 - North Star Spirits

Smoke64/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner35/100
Value30/100

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner75/100
Value57/100

Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old 2009 - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.67).

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is better value at £87 vs £123.

For beginners: Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old 2009 - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (52.3%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£122.5 vs £87.07)
  • Lower community rating (3.7 vs 5.0)

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£87.07 vs £122.5)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Bunnahabhain?

Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old 2009 - North Star Spirits 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 Strathisla?

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedDried Fruit

Only Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old 2009 - North Star Spirits

SmokeyChocolate

Only Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

Old WoodHoneyNutty

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