Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35clBalvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
DistilleryPenderynBalvenie
RegionSpeyside
CountryWalesScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£24.87£20.95
Rating4.67/55.00/5

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

Smoke0/100
Sweetness51/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.67).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £25.

For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£24.87 vs £20.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.7 vs 5.0)

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£20.95 vs £24.87)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Penderyn?

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt 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

Both taste of

HoneyCooked FruitToasted

Only Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

Fresh Fruit

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanilla

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