Compass Box Orchard House Sample Blended Malt Scotch Whisky vs Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling)

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

Compass Box Orchard House Sample Blended Malt Scotch WhiskyOld Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling)
DistilleryCompass BoxPulteney
RegionHighland
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£5.5£4.32
Rating4.11/5

Compass Box Orchard House Sample Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner100/100
Value0/100

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Compass Box Orchard House Sample Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (4.11 vs 0.00).

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling) is better value at £4 vs £6.

For beginners: Compass Box Orchard House Sample Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Compass Box Orchard House Sample Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£5.5 vs £4.32)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.1)

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.1/5)
  • +More affordable (£4.32 vs £5.5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Compass?

Compass Box Orchard House Sample Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 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.

Who should buy Old?

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Fresh FruitHoneyVanilla

Only Compass Box Orchard House Sample Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Citric

Only Old Pulteney 12 Year Old (Old Bottling)

Malt ExtractToasted

Explore more