Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.) vs Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.)
Thompson Bros.
£176
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£113
| Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.) | Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Thompson Bros. | Talisker |
| Region | — | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 57.3% |
| Age | 30 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £175.95 | £112.5 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Quick verdict
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is better value at £113 vs £176.
For beginners: Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 15 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£175.95 vs £112.5)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.3%) — may need water
Who should buy Speyside?
Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.) 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.
Who should buy Talisker?
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) 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
Only Speyside 30 Year Old 1990 (Thompson Bros.)
Only Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)