North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing) vs Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing)
North of Scotland
★ 5.00
£103
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Douglas Laing
★ 5.00
£125
| North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing) | Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | North of Scotland | Douglas Laing |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.6% | 53.2% |
| Age | 37 yr | 14 yr |
| Price | £103.47 | £124.55 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing)
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing)
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing) is better value at £103 vs £125.
For beginners: North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£103.47 vs £124.55)
- +Longer maturation (37 vs 14 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.6%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (53.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£124.55 vs £103.47)
Who should buy North?
North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing) 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.
Who should buy Islay?
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing) 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 North of Scotland 37 Year Old 1972 - The Clan Denny (Douglas Laing)
Only Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)