Near Ballindalloch 11 Year Old 2011 - Obscurities & Curiosities (North Star Spirits) vs Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Near Ballindalloch 11 Year Old 2011 - Obscurities & Curiosities (North Star Spirits)Lower East Side Blended Malt
DistilleryNorth Star SpiritsLower East Side
Region
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV51.4%40%
Age11 yrNAS
Price£47.84£29.9
Rating5.00/5

Near Ballindalloch 11 Year Old 2011 - Obscurities & Curiosities (North Star Spirits)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

Near Ballindalloch 11 Year Old 2011 - Obscurities & Curiosities (North Star Spirits)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lower East Side Blended Malt

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lower East Side Blended Malt is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Lower East Side Blended Malt is better value at £30 vs £48.

For beginners: Lower East Side Blended Malt is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Near Ballindalloch 11 Year Old 2011 - Obscurities & Curiosities (North Star Spirits)

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • High ABV (51.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£47.84 vs £29.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Near?

Near Ballindalloch 11 Year Old 2011 - Obscurities & Curiosities (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 Lower?

Lower East Side Blended Malt 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

Both taste of

Malt ExtractHoneyVanilla

Only Near Ballindalloch 11 Year Old 2011 - Obscurities & Curiosities (North Star Spirits)

Toasted

Only Lower East Side Blended Malt

Fresh Fruit

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