Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor) vs Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor)
Brackla
£49
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
| Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor) | Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Brackla | Balblair |
| Region | Highland | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 53.7% |
| Age | 12 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £48.95 | £60.45 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Quick verdict
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £49 vs £60.
For beginners: Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +More affordable (£48.95 vs £60.45)
Cons
- −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)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£60.45 vs £48.95)
Who should buy Royal?
Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
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 Royal Brackla 12 Year Old 1999 - NC2 (Duncan Taylor)
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)