Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old vs Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 4.15
£50

Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£50
| Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old | Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Big Peat |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 54.2% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £49.5 | £49.9 |
| Rating | 4.15/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022
Quick verdict
Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.15).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old is better value at £50 vs £50.
For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£49.5 vs £49.9)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.1 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (54.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£49.9 vs £49.5)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie DoubleWood 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 Big?
Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022 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
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Only Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022
Where to buy
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Big Peat Beach BBQ Edition – Fèis Ìle 2022
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange