Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky vs Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Ballantine's
£135
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Kininvie
★ 5.00
£120
| Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky | Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ballantine's | Kininvie |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 42.6% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £135 | £120 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Quick verdict
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is better value at £120 vs £135.
For beginners: Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −More expensive (£135 vs £120)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ballantine's?
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.
Who should buy Kininvie?
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) 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 Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Only Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)