Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) vs Paul John Christmas Edition 2018
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
Paul John Christmas Edition 2018
Paul John
★ 5.00
£50
| Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | Paul John Christmas Edition 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Paul John |
| Region | Highland | — |
| Country | Scotland | India |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.7% | 46% |
| Age | 20 yr | NAS |
| Price | £60.45 | £49.99 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Paul John Christmas Edition 2018
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Paul John Christmas Edition 2018
Quick verdict
Paul John Christmas Edition 2018 is better value at £50 vs £60.
For beginners: Paul John Christmas Edition 2018 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£60.45 vs £49.99)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Paul John Christmas Edition 2018
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
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.
Who should buy Paul?
Paul John Christmas Edition 2018 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 Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Only Paul John Christmas Edition 2018