The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
The Antiquary
★ 5.00
£85
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Douglas Laing
★ 5.00
£125
| The Antiquary 21 Year Old | Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Antiquary | Douglas Laing |
| Region | Other Scotch | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 53.2% |
| Age | 21 yr | 14 yr |
| Price | £84.9 | £124.55 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £125.
For beginners: The Antiquary 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£84.9 vs £124.55)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 14 years)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (53.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£124.55 vs £84.9)
Who should buy The?
The Antiquary 21 Year Old 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 Islay?
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Tasting notes
Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Only Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)