The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Ballindalloch 8 Year Old 2017 (cask 69) - Refill Virgin Oak Hogshead

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

The Antiquary 21 Year OldBallindalloch 8 Year Old 2017 (cask 69) - Refill Virgin Oak Hogshead
DistilleryThe AntiquaryBallindalloch
RegionOther ScotchSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%62.7%
Age21 yr8 yr
Price£84.9£92.5
Rating5.00/5

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner75/100
Value59/100

Ballindalloch 8 Year Old 2017 (cask 69) - Refill Virgin Oak Hogshead

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Ballindalloch 8 Year Old 2017 (cask 69) - Refill Virgin Oak Hogshead

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £93.

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
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£84.9 vs £92.5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Ballindalloch 8 Year Old 2017 (cask 69) - Refill Virgin Oak Hogshead

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (62.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£92.5 vs £84.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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 Ballindalloch?

Ballindalloch 8 Year Old 2017 (cask 69) - Refill Virgin Oak Hogshead 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

Old WoodSherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

Only Ballindalloch 8 Year Old 2017 (cask 69) - Refill Virgin Oak Hogshead

New WoodVanillaFresh FruitToasted

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