Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 11536) - Provenance (Douglas Laing) vs Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 11536) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)Lower East Side Blended Malt
DistilleryArdmoreLower East Side
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%40%
Age8 yrNAS
Price£35£29.9
Rating4.50/55.00/5

Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 11536) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner60/100
Value100/100

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 11536) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lower East Side Blended Malt

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lower East Side Blended Malt is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).

Lower East Side Blended Malt is better value at £30 vs £35.

For beginners: Lower East Side Blended Malt is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 11536) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£35 vs £29.9)
  • Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£29.9 vs £35)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Ardmore?

Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 11536) - Provenance (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Who should buy Lower?

Lower East Side Blended Malt 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 Ardmore 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 11536) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)

SmokeyMedicinalLeatheryOld WoodCooked Mash

Only Lower East Side Blended Malt

Fresh FruitHoneyVanillaMalt Extract

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