North British 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 14409) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) vs Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

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

North British 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 14409) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023
DistilleryNorth BritishScallywag
RegionLowlandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeGrainBlended Malt
ABV54.8%48%
Age21 yrNAS
Price£79.95£56.25
Rating5.00/5

North British 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 14409) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner65/100
Value0/100

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner60/100
Value89/100

North British 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 14409) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023 is better value at £56 vs £80.

For beginners: North British 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 14409) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

North British 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 14409) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (54.8%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£79.95 vs £56.25)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£56.25 vs £79.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy North?

North British 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 14409) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) 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 Scallywag?

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Only North British 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 14409) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)

VanillaMalt ExtractHoneyOld Wood

Only Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023

ChocolateSherriedCooked FruitDried Fruit

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