The Cooley Collection vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

The Cooley CollectionBalvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
DistilleryCooleyBalvenie
RegionSpeyside
CountryIrelandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£17.95£20.95
Rating5.00/5

The Cooley Collection

Smoke64/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

The Cooley Collection

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Cooley Collection is better value at £18 vs £21.

For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

The Cooley Collection

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£17.95 vs £20.95)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£20.95 vs £17.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy The?

The Cooley Collection suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended 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

Only The Cooley Collection

Smokey

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanillaHoneyCooked FruitToasted

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