Craigellachie 13 Year Old 2008 (cask 7535729) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Rock Island 21 Year Old

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

Craigellachie 13 Year Old 2008 (cask 7535729) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)Rock Island 21 Year Old
DistilleryCraigellachieRock Island
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV53.9%46.8%
Age13 yr21 yr
Price£104.57£99.62
Rating5.00/5

Craigellachie 13 Year Old 2008 (cask 7535729) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Rock Island 21 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner65/100
Value50/100

Craigellachie 13 Year Old 2008 (cask 7535729) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Rock Island 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Rock Island 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Rock Island 21 Year Old is better value at £100 vs £105.

For beginners: Rock Island 21 Year Old is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

Craigellachie 13 Year Old 2008 (cask 7535729) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£104.57 vs £99.62)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Rock Island 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Craigellachie?

Craigellachie 13 Year Old 2008 (cask 7535729) - 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 Rock?

Rock Island 21 Year Old 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Honey

Only Craigellachie 13 Year Old 2008 (cask 7535729) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

VanillaToastedMalt ExtractFresh Fruit

Only Rock Island 21 Year Old

SherriedOld WoodDried FruitSmokey

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