Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) vs Balmenach 7 Year Old 2013 (cask 186B) - The Whisky Cellar
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Douglas Laing
★ 5.00
£37
Balmenach 7 Year Old 2013 (cask 186B) - The Whisky Cellar
Balmenach
£60
| Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) | Balmenach 7 Year Old 2013 (cask 186B) - The Whisky Cellar | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Douglas Laing | Balmenach |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 54.5% |
| Age | NAS | 7 yr |
| Price | £36.52 | £59.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Balmenach 7 Year Old 2013 (cask 186B) - The Whisky Cellar
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Balmenach 7 Year Old 2013 (cask 186B) - The Whisky Cellar
Quick verdict
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is better value at £37 vs £60.
For beginners: Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£36.52 vs £59.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Balmenach 7 Year Old 2013 (cask 186B) - The Whisky Cellar
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£59.95 vs £36.52)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Speyside?
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) 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 Balmenach?
Balmenach 7 Year Old 2013 (cask 186B) - The Whisky Cellar 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
Only Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Only Balmenach 7 Year Old 2013 (cask 186B) - The Whisky Cellar