Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits vs Strathmill 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 1530) - Mackillop's Choice

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

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star SpiritsStrathmill 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 1530) - Mackillop's Choice
DistilleryNorth Star SpiritsStrathmill
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV43.1%52%
Age31 yr18 yr
Price£116.95£127.7
Rating5.00/5

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner60/100
Value43/100

Strathmill 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 1530) - Mackillop's Choice

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Strathmill 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 1530) - Mackillop's Choice

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £128.

For beginners: Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£116.95 vs £127.7)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 18 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Strathmill 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 1530) - Mackillop's Choice

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness

Cons

  • High ABV (52%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£127.7 vs £116.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Sirius?

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits 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 Strathmill?

Strathmill 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 1530) - Mackillop's Choice 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

Vanilla

Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Old WoodNutty

Only Strathmill 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 1530) - Mackillop's Choice

HoneyMalt ExtractCitric

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