Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Glenrothes
£16
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
| Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) | Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glenrothes | Balvenie |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 40% |
| Age | 23 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £16.1 | £20.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) is better value at £16 vs £21.
For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£16.1 vs £20.95)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 £16.1)
Who should buy Glenrothes?
Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) 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 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
Both taste of
Only Glenrothes 23 Year Old 1990 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)