Auchroisk 23 Year Old 1997 (cask 17814) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing) vs Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Auchroisk 23 Year Old 1997 (cask 17814) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)
Auchroisk
£117

Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
Kilbeggan
★ 5.00
£85
| Auchroisk 23 Year Old 1997 (cask 17814) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing) | Kilbeggan 21 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Auchroisk | Kilbeggan |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Ireland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 54.6% | 40% |
| Age | 23 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £117.29 | £84.78 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Auchroisk 23 Year Old 1997 (cask 17814) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
Auchroisk 23 Year Old 1997 (cask 17814) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
Quick verdict
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £117.
For beginners: Kilbeggan 21 Year Old is more approachable (90/100 beginner score).
Auchroisk 23 Year Old 1997 (cask 17814) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£117.29 vs £84.78)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
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 Auchroisk?
Auchroisk 23 Year Old 1997 (cask 17814) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing) 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 Kilbeggan?
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old 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
Only Auchroisk 23 Year Old 1997 (cask 17814) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)
Only Kilbeggan 21 Year Old