Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Black Velvet
★ 3.71
£30
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
| Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old | Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Black Velvet | Balvenie |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Canada | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Age | 8 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £29.89 | £20.95 |
| Rating | 3.71/5 | 5.00/5 |
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.71).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £30.
For beginners: Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
Cons
- −More expensive (£29.89 vs £20.95)
- −Lower community rating (3.7 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 £29.89)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Black?
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old 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.
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
Only Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)