Dumbarton 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 178) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) vs Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

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

Dumbarton 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 178) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023
DistilleryDumbartonScallywag
RegionLowlandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeGrainBlended Malt
ABV55.3%48%
Age22 yrNAS
Price£85.95£56.25
Rating5.00/5

Dumbarton 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 178) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner60/100
Value89/100

Dumbarton 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 178) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023 is better value at £56 vs £86.

For beginners: Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023 is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Dumbarton 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 178) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)

Pros

  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (55.3%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£85.95 vs £56.25)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£56.25 vs £85.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Dumbarton?

Dumbarton 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 178) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) 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 Scallywag?

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Only Dumbarton 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 178) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)

VanillaNew WoodToastedMalt ExtractHoney

Only Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

ChocolateSherriedCooked FruitDried Fruit

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