Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky vs Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Ballantine's
£135
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
Kilbeggan
★ 5.00
£85
| Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky | Kilbeggan 21 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ballantine's | Kilbeggan |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | United Kingdom | Ireland |
| Type | Blended | |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Age | NAS | 21 yr |
| Price | £135 | £84.78 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
Quick verdict
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £135.
For beginners: Kilbeggan 21 Year Old is more approachable (90/100 beginner score).
Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −More expensive (£135 vs £84.78)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old
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 Kilbeggan?
Kilbeggan 21 Year Old 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
Only Ballantine's 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky
Only Kilbeggan 21 Year Old