Pulteney 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 17603801) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

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

Pulteney 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 17603801) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)Royal Brackla 21 Year Old
DistilleryPulteneyBrackla
RegionHighlandHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.6%40%
Age23 yr21 yr
Price£198.99£219.99
Rating5.00/5

Pulteney 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 17603801) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

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

Pulteney 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 17603801) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Pulteney 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 17603801) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £199 vs £220.

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

Pulteney 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 17603801) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +More affordable (£198.99 vs £219.99)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.6%) — 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 £198.99)

Who should buy Pulteney?

Pulteney 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 17603801) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 Pulteney 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 17603801) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

HoneyFresh FruitCitricMalt Extract

Only Royal Brackla 21 Year Old

SherriedCooked FruitOld WoodToasted

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