Famous Grouse Smoky Black vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Famous Grouse
★ 3.44
£20
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
| Famous Grouse Smoky Black | Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Famous Grouse | Balvenie |
| Region | Other Scotch | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £19.5 | £20.95 |
| Rating | 3.44/5 | 5.00/5 |
Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.44).
Famous Grouse Smoky Black is better value at £20 vs £21.
For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£19.5 vs £20.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lower community rating (3.4 vs 5.0)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −More expensive (£20.95 vs £19.5)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Famous?
Famous Grouse Smoky Black suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch 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 Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)