Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask
Balvenie
£285
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Smooth Ambler
★ 5.00
£299
| Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask | Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Smooth Ambler |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 48.7% | 47.1% |
| Age | 18 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £285 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Quick verdict
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask is better value at £285 vs £299.
For beginners: Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£285 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£299 vs £285)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Smooth?
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Bourbon character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask
Only Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release