Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky vs Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Ballantine's
£250
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Rosebank
★ 5.00
£174
| Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky | Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ballantine's | Rosebank |
| Region | — | Lowland |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 61.4% |
| Age | NAS | 25 yr |
| Price | £250 | £173.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Quick verdict
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is better value at £174 vs £250.
For beginners: Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£250 vs £173.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£173.95 vs £250)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (61.4%) — may need water
Who should buy Ballantine's?
Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky 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 Rosebank?
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Ballantine's 17 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Only Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)