GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish vs North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

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

GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood FinishNorth British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)
DistilleryGlenAllachieNorth British
RegionSpeysideLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltGrain
ABV48%51.7%
Age9 yr13 yr
Price£49.9£60.52
Rating5.00/5

GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish

Smoke0/100
Sweetness70/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish is better value at £50 vs £61.

For beginners: GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish

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

North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (13 vs 9 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (51.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£60.52 vs £49.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy GlenAllachie?

GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish 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 North?

North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid) 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 GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Rye Wood Finish

Malt ExtractVanillaNew Wood

Only North British 13 Year Old 2011 - Select Grain (Murray McDavid)

SherriedHoneyDried FruitTobaccoToasted

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