Balmenach 23 Year Old 1988 (Adelphi) vs Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

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

Balmenach 23 Year Old 1988 (Adelphi)Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)
DistilleryBalmenachCraigellachie
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV54.2%51%
Age23 yr12 yr
Price£95.06£72.95
Rating5.00/5

Balmenach 23 Year Old 1988 (Adelphi)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness44/100
Beginner50/100
Value69/100

Balmenach 23 Year Old 1988 (Adelphi)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics) is better value at £73 vs £95.

For beginners: Balmenach 23 Year Old 1988 (Adelphi) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).

Balmenach 23 Year Old 1988 (Adelphi)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (54.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£95.06 vs £72.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£72.95 vs £95.06)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (51%) — may need water

Who should buy Balmenach?

Balmenach 23 Year Old 1988 (Adelphi) 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 Craigellachie?

Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics) 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

NuttyToasted

Only Balmenach 23 Year Old 1988 (Adelphi)

Malt ExtractHoneyVanilla

Only Craigellachie 12 Year Old 2007 (cask 900777) - The Disciples (Heroes & Heretics)

SherriedDried FruitCooked Fruit

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