Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak vs The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

Kavalan ex-Bourbon OakThe Antiquary 21 Year Old
DistilleryKavalanThe Antiquary
RegionOther Scotch
CountryTaiwanScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV46%43%
AgeNAS21 yr
Price£88.5£84.9
Rating4.50/55.00/5

Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner80/100
Value51/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner75/100
Value59/100

Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £89.

For beginners: Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).

Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£88.5 vs £84.9)
  • Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£84.9 vs £88.5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Kavalan?

Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak 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 The?

The Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Only Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak

VanillaMalt ExtractHoneyFresh Fruit

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Old WoodSherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

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