Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) vs The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks
The Antiquary
★ 3.50
£45
| Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | The Antiquary |
| Region | Highland | Other Scotch |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 53.7% | 40% |
| Age | 20 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £60.45 | £44.9 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 3.50/5 |
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks
Quick verdict
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.50).
The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks is better value at £45 vs £60.
For beginners: The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
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 15 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£60.45 vs £44.9)
The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£44.9 vs £60.45)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (3.5 vs 5.0)
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 The?
The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Only The Antiquary 15 Year Old – Claret Casks