Mars Komagatake 2014 (bottled 2017) (cask 1782) vs Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

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

Mars Komagatake 2014 (bottled 2017) (cask 1782)Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
DistilleryShinshuBrackla
RegionHighland
CountryJapanScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV61.8%40%
AgeNAS21 yr
Price£170.04£219.99
Rating5.00/5

Mars Komagatake 2014 (bottled 2017) (cask 1782)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness70/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner70/100
Value23/100

Mars Komagatake 2014 (bottled 2017) (cask 1782)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Mars Komagatake 2014 (bottled 2017) (cask 1782) is better value at £170 vs £220.

For beginners: Royal Brackla 21 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Mars Komagatake 2014 (bottled 2017) (cask 1782)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +More affordable (£170.04 vs £219.99)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (61.8%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£219.99 vs £170.04)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Mars?

Mars Komagatake 2014 (bottled 2017) (cask 1782) 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.

Who should buy Royal?

Royal Brackla 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Vanilla

Only Mars Komagatake 2014 (bottled 2017) (cask 1782)

SmokeyMalt ExtractNew Wood

Only Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

SherriedCooked FruitOld WoodToasted

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