Black Bottle Island Smoke - Alchemy Series vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Black Bottle Island Smoke - Alchemy Series
Black Bottle
★ 4.67
£23
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
| Black Bottle Island Smoke - Alchemy Series | Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Black Bottle | Balvenie |
| Region | Other Scotch | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46.3% | 40% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £23 | £20.95 |
| Rating | 4.67/5 | 5.00/5 |
Black Bottle Island Smoke - Alchemy Series
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Black Bottle Island Smoke - Alchemy Series
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.67).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £23.
For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Black Bottle Island Smoke - Alchemy Series
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£23 vs £20.95)
- −Lower community rating (4.7 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 £23)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Black?
Black Bottle Island Smoke - Alchemy Series 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 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 Bottle Island Smoke - Alchemy Series
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)