Old Forester Bourbon vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Old Forester BourbonBalvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
DistilleryOld ForesterBalvenie
RegionSpeyside
CountryAmericaScotland
TypeBourbonSingle Malt
ABV43%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£25.14£20.95
Rating3.31/55.00/5

Old Forester Bourbon

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Old Forester Bourbon

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.31).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £25.

For beginners: Old Forester Bourbon is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Old Forester Bourbon

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£25.14 vs £20.95)
  • Lower community rating (3.3 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 £25.14)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Old?

Old Forester Bourbon suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Bourbon character.

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

VanillaToasted

Only Old Forester Bourbon

Dried FruitOld WoodTobacco

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedHoneyCooked Fruit

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