Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) vs MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Deanston
★ 5.00
£123
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
| Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Deanston | MacNair's |
| Region | Highland | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 48% |
| Age | 21 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £122.95 | £125 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Quick verdict
Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) is better value at £123 vs £125.
For beginners: Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£122.95 vs £125)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£125 vs £122.95)
Who should buy Deanston?
Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
Who should buy MacNair's?
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Deanston 21 Year Old 1996 (casks 600009 & 10) - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)