A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt) vs Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt)
Master of Malt
★ 4.50
£30
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
| A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt) | Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Master of Malt | Balvenie |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Age | 8 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £29.95 | £20.95 |
| Rating | 4.50/5 | 5.00/5 |
A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £30.
For beginners: A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
Cons
- −More expensive (£29.95 vs £20.95)
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£20.95 vs £29.95)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy A?
A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt) 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 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
Both taste of
Only A Secret Speyside Distillery 8 Year Old 2014 (Master of Malt)
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)