Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask vs Cragganmore 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira CaskCragganmore 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
DistilleryBalvenieCragganmore
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV43%40%
Age17 yrNAS
Price£599£750
Rating4.80/5

Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value8/100

Cragganmore 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Cragganmore 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask is rated higher (4.80 vs 0.00).

Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask is better value at £599 vs £750.

For beginners: Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
  • +More affordable (£599 vs £750)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Cragganmore 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • More expensive (£750 vs £599)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Cragganmore?

Cragganmore 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Only Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask

SherriedVanillaDried FruitChocolateCooked Fruit

Only Cragganmore 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

SmokeyToastedMalt ExtractHoneyLeathery

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