Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured vs The Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of Malt)

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

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask MaturedThe Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of Malt)
DistilleryDeanstonMaster of Malt
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV58.7%40%
Age9 yr8 yr
Price£49.96£39.95
Rating5.00/5

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner40/100
Value100/100

The Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of Malt)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner90/100
Value0/100

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of Malt) is better value at £40 vs £50.

For beginners: The Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of Malt) is more approachable (90/100 beginner score).

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (9 vs 8 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (58.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£49.96 vs £39.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

The Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£39.95 vs £49.96)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Deanston?

Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured 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 The?

The Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of 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

Only Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

Cooked FruitFresh FruitVanillaSherried

Only The Burns Night Blend 8 Year Old Special Release (Master of Malt)

ChocolateHoneyMalt ExtractSmokey

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