Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 vs Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£47

Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
| Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 | Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Big Peat | Balblair |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.8% | 53.7% |
| Age | NAS | 20 yr |
| Price | £46.95 | £60.45 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Quick verdict
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 is better value at £47 vs £60.
For beginners: Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£46.95 vs £60.45)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.8%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£60.45 vs £46.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Big?
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 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 Balblair?
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) 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 Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Where to buy
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange