Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice vs WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
Balblair
£178
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
WhistlePig
★ 5.00
£124
| Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice | WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | WhistlePig |
| Region | Highland | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Rye |
| ABV | 55.2% | 43% |
| Age | 20 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £178.12 | £124 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
Quick verdict
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World is better value at £124 vs £178.
For beginners: WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£178.12 vs £124)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice 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 WhistlePig?
WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World 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 Balblair 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 124) - Mackillop's Choice
Only WhistlePig 12 Year Old - Old World