Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel vs Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Balvenie
£395
Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)
Dalwhinnie
★ 5.00
£331
| Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel | Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Dalwhinnie |
| Region | — | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 48.8% |
| Age | 15 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £395 | £331.43 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)
Quick verdict
Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015) is better value at £331 vs £395.
For beginners: Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£395 vs £331.43)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£331.43 vs £395)
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 15 years)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel 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 Dalwhinnie?
Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Only Dalwhinnie 25 Year Old 1989 (Special Release 2015)