Dewar's 12 Year Old vs The Big Smoke 46

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

Dewar's 12 Year OldThe Big Smoke 46
DistilleryDewar'sDuncan Taylor
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedBlended Malt
ABV40%46%
Age12 yr10 yr
Price£31.85£34.3
Rating4.23/55.00/5

Dewar's 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

The Big Smoke 46

Smoke64/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner60/100
Value100/100

Dewar's 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Big Smoke 46

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Big Smoke 46 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.23).

Dewar's 12 Year Old is better value at £32 vs £34.

For beginners: Dewar's 12 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Dewar's 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£31.85 vs £34.3)
  • +Longer maturation (12 vs 10 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.2 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

The Big Smoke 46

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • More expensive (£34.3 vs £31.85)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Dewar's?

Dewar's 12 Year Old 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 The?

The Big Smoke 46 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Tasting notes

Only Dewar's 12 Year Old

VanillaHoneyToastedMalt Extract

Only The Big Smoke 46

SmokeyOily

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