Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black vs Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

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

Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra BlackTeaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts
DistillerySmokeheadTeaninich
RegionIslayHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%65%
Age18 yr23 yr
Price£250£344.14
Rating4.91/55.00/5

Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner50/100
Value20/100

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Smoke0/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner35/100
Value15/100

Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.91).

Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black is better value at £250 vs £344.

For beginners: Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).

Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£250 vs £344.14)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Pros

  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 18 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (65%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£344.14 vs £250)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Smokehead?

Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.

Who should buy Teaninich?

Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts 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 Smokehead 18 Year Old Extra Black

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodMedicinalDried Fruit

Only Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Hay-likeLeafyMalt ExtractVegetativeFresh Fruit

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