Bladnoch 20 Year Old vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Bladnoch 20 Year OldBalvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
DistilleryBladnochBalvenie
RegionLowlandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%40%
Age20 yr12 yr
Price£20.14£20.95
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Bladnoch 20 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Bladnoch 20 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Bladnoch 20 Year Old is better value at £20 vs £21.

For beginners: Bladnoch 20 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Bladnoch 20 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£20.14 vs £20.95)
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£20.95 vs £20.14)

Who should buy Bladnoch?

Bladnoch 20 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Honey

Only Bladnoch 20 Year Old

Fresh FruitMalt ExtractHay-likeLeafy

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanillaCooked FruitToasted

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