Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Bunnahabhain
£114
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
WhistlePig
★ 5.00
£124
| Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bunnahabhain | WhistlePig |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Rye |
| ABV | 54.5% | 43% |
| Age | 14 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £114.12 | £124 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
Quick verdict
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £114 vs £124.
For beginners: WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£114.12 vs £124)
- +Longer maturation (14 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −More expensive (£124 vs £114.12)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bunnahabhain?
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 WhistlePig?
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Tasting notes
Only Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 3838013) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World