Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old vs Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 4.15
£50
Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon
Charlie Parry's
★ 5.00
£51
| Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old | Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Charlie Parry's |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 40% | 59.6% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £49.5 | £50.76 |
| Rating | 4.15/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon
Quick verdict
Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.15).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old is better value at £50 vs £51.
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 £50.76)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.1 vs 5.0)
Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (59.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£50.76 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 Charlie?
Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon 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 Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon