Wild Turkey 81 Proof vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Wild Turkey 81 ProofBalvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
DistilleryWild TurkeyBalvenie
RegionSpeyside
CountryAmericaScotland
TypeBourbonSingle Malt
ABV40.5%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£25.4£20.95
Rating4.23/55.00/5

Wild Turkey 81 Proof

Smoke64/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Wild Turkey 81 Proof

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.23).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £25.

For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Wild Turkey 81 Proof

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£25.4 vs £20.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.2 vs 5.0)

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£20.95 vs £25.4)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Wild?

Wild Turkey 81 Proof suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Bourbon character.

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaToasted

Only Wild Turkey 81 Proof

SmokeyCooked Mash

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedHoneyCooked Fruit

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