Locke's 8 Year Old vs New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

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

Locke's 8 Year OldNew York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
DistilleryLocke'sNew York Distilling Company
Region
CountryIrelandAmerica
TypeSingle MaltRye
ABV40%55.6%
Age8 yr3 yr
Price£37.32£39.95
Rating4.33/55.00/5

Locke's 8 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner65/100
Value100/100

Locke's 8 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.33).

Locke's 8 Year Old is better value at £37 vs £40.

For beginners: Locke's 8 Year Old is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Locke's 8 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£37.32 vs £39.95)
  • +Longer maturation (8 vs 3 years)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (55.6%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£39.95 vs £37.32)

Who should buy Locke's?

Locke's 8 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.

Who should buy New?

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyVanilla

Only Locke's 8 Year Old

CitricFresh FruitMalt Extract

Only New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

ToastedTobaccoNew Wood

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