Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017) vs Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£68
Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Auchentoshan
£98
| Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017) | Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Auchentoshan |
| Region | Highland | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 53% |
| Age | 17 yr | 14 yr |
| Price | £68.12 | £97.5 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017)
Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017)
Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017) is better value at £68 vs £98.
For beginners: Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017) is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).
Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£97.5 vs £68.12)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Who should buy Auchentoshan?
Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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
Both taste of
Only Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017)
Only Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Where to buy
Balblair 2000 (bottled 2017)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Auchentoshan 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 3549375) Palo Cortado Finish - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange