Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage Reserve vs SMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky

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

Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage ReserveSMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky
DistilleryGlengoyneBalmenach
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV50.3%40%
Age25 yrNAS
Price£995£750
Rating5.00/5

Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage Reserve

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner45/100
Value5/100

SMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness37/100
Beginner65/100
Value0/100

Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage Reserve

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

SMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage Reserve is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

SMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky is better value at £750 vs £995.

For beginners: SMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage Reserve

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (50.3%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£995 vs £750)

SMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky

Pros

  • +More affordable (£750 vs £995)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Glengoyne?

Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage Reserve 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.

Who should buy SMWS?

SMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Malt ExtractToasted

Only Glengoyne 25 Year Old 1968 Vintage Reserve

HoneyVanillaFresh Fruit

Only SMWS 48.2 (Balmenach) / 1973 / Bot.1989 Speyside Single Malt Whisky

YeastyOld WoodNutty

Explore more