Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) vs The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old

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

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old
DistilleryTaliskerThe Glenlivet
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV59.4%56.2%
Age8 yr20 yr
Price£299£259.95
Rating5.00/5

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value17/100

The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old is better value at £260 vs £299.

For beginners: The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £259.95)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +More affordable (£259.95 vs £299)
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 8 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.2%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Talisker?

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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 The?

The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old 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 Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

SmokeyKipperyMedicinalOily

Only The Glenlivet Small Batch 2.3 20 Year Old

Fresh FruitCitricHoneyVanilla

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