Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask vs Balmenach 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 10162) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Teeling
★ 5.00
£176
Balmenach 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 10162) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Balmenach
£212
| Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask | Balmenach 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 10162) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Teeling | Balmenach |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Ireland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 52.8% |
| Age | 21 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £175.95 | £212.26 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Balmenach 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 10162) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Balmenach 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 10162) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is better value at £176 vs £212.
For beginners: Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£175.95 vs £212.26)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Balmenach 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 10162) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 21 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£212.26 vs £175.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Teeling?
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Who should buy Balmenach?
Balmenach 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 10162) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing) 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.
Tasting notes
Only Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Only Balmenach 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 10162) - Directors' Cut (Douglas Laing)