Deau XO Cognac vs Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

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

Deau XO CognacLedaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistilleryDeauTobermory
RegionIsland
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%51.7%
AgeNAS18 yr
Price£110£89.95
Rating5.00/5

Deau XO Cognac

Smoke0/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value56/100

Deau XO Cognac

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £90 vs £110.

For beginners: Deau XO Cognac is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Deau XO Cognac

Pros

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

Cons

  • More expensive (£110 vs £89.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£89.95 vs £110)

Cons

  • High ABV (51.7%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Deau?

Deau XO Cognac 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 Ledaig?

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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.

Tasting notes

Only Deau XO Cognac

VanillaToastedHoneyDried FruitChocolate

Only Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokeyLeatheryMedicinalOily

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