Ballantine's 12 Year Old vs New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ballantine's 12 Year Old
Ballantine's
★ 4.33
£34
New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
New York Distilling Company
★ 5.00
£40
| Ballantine's 12 Year Old | New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ballantine's | New York Distilling Company |
| Region | Other Scotch | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Blended | Rye |
| ABV | 40% | 55.6% |
| Age | 12 yr | 3 yr |
| Price | £34.48 | £39.95 |
| Rating | 4.33/5 | 5.00/5 |
Ballantine's 12 Year Old
New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Ballantine's 12 Year Old
New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.33).
Ballantine's 12 Year Old is better value at £34 vs £40.
For beginners: Ballantine's 12 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Ballantine's 12 Year Old
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£34.48 vs £39.95)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 3 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (55.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£39.95 vs £34.48)
Who should buy Ballantine's?
Ballantine's 12 Year Old 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 New?
New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Ballantine's 12 Year Old
Only New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)