Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company) vs Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Balblair
£86
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
| Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company) | Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Balblair |
| Region | Highland | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58.2% | 53.7% |
| Age | 12 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £85.5 | £60.45 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Quick verdict
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is better value at £60 vs £86.
For beginners: Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£85.5 vs £60.45)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£60.45 vs £85.5)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company) 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
Both taste of
Only Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Where to buy
Balblair 12 Year Old 2012 Fresh Sauternes Barrique Finish (cask 3228) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange