Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado Sherry vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado SherryBalvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
DistilleryLustauBalvenie
RegionSpeyside
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£21.75£20.95
Rating5.00/5

Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado Sherry

Smoke0/100
Sweetness37/100
Beginner80/100
Value0/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado Sherry

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £22.

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

Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado Sherry

Pros

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

Cons

  • More expensive (£21.75 vs £20.95)
  • 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 affordable (£20.95 vs £21.75)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Lustau?

Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado Sherry suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for 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

Toasted

Only Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado Sherry

NuttyDried FruitOld Wood

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanillaHoneyCooked Fruit

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