MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) vs North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
North British
£121
| MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | MacNair's | North British |
| Region | — | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 48% | 52.4% |
| Age | 21 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £125 | £120.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Quick verdict
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is better value at £121 vs £125.
For beginners: MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£125 vs £120.95)
North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£120.95 vs £125)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 21 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (52.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy MacNair's?
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Who should buy North?
North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (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.
Tasting notes
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Only North British 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 17662) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)