Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish vs Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Darkness
★ 5.00
£72
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Balblair
★ 4.00
£63
| Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish | Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Darkness | Balblair |
| Region | — | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 61.3% | 50% |
| Age | 8 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £71.95 | £62.97 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.00/5 |
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is better value at £63 vs £72.
For beginners: Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (61.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£71.95 vs £62.97)
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£62.97 vs £71.95)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 8 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Darkness!?
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
Tasting notes
Only Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Only Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Where to buy
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange