Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle
Riserva Carlo Alberto
£17

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
| Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle | Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Riserva Carlo Alberto | Balvenie |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £16.95 | £20.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle is better value at £17 vs £21.
For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle
Pros
- +Intense, complex peat smoke character
- +More affordable (£16.95 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 £16.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Riserva?
Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle is for peat enthusiasts and experienced whisky lovers who appreciate bold, smoky, medicinal character. If you enjoy Ardbeg or Laphroaig, this is your dram. Not recommended for beginners.
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 Riserva Carlo Alberto L’artiglio Del Tigre / Small Bottle
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)