SMWS 20.17 (Inverleven) / 1978 / 23 Year Old Lowland Whisky vs Talisker 30 Year Old

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

SMWS 20.17 (Inverleven) / 1978 / 23 Year Old Lowland WhiskyTalisker 30 Year Old
DistilleryInverlevenTalisker
RegionIsland
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%48.5%
AgeNAS30 yr
Price£850£829.95
Rating5.00/5

SMWS 20.17 (Inverleven) / 1978 / 23 Year Old Lowland Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Talisker 30 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner45/100
Value6/100

SMWS 20.17 (Inverleven) / 1978 / 23 Year Old Lowland Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Talisker 30 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Talisker 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Talisker 30 Year Old is better value at £830 vs £850.

For beginners: SMWS 20.17 (Inverleven) / 1978 / 23 Year Old Lowland Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

SMWS 20.17 (Inverleven) / 1978 / 23 Year Old Lowland Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£850 vs £829.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Talisker 30 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£829.95 vs £850)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy SMWS?

SMWS 20.17 (Inverleven) / 1978 / 23 Year Old Lowland Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Who should buy Talisker?

Talisker 30 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Fresh Fruit

Only SMWS 20.17 (Inverleven) / 1978 / 23 Year Old Lowland Whisky

CitricCooked Fruit

Only Talisker 30 Year Old

SmokeyOld WoodOilyLeathery

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