Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl) vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Elements of Islay
£23
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
| Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl) | Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Elements of Islay | Balvenie |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.5% | 40% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £22.95 | £20.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
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).
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£22.95 vs £20.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£20.95 vs £22.95)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Elements?
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl) 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 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
Only Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)