The Big Smoke 46 vs Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl

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

The Big Smoke 46Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl
DistilleryDuncan TaylorBalblair
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%46%
Age10 yr20 yr
Price£34.3£31.45
Rating5.00/5

The Big Smoke 46

Smoke64/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner60/100
Value100/100

Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

The Big Smoke 46

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Big Smoke 46 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl is better value at £31 vs £34.

For beginners: Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

The Big Smoke 46

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£34.3 vs £31.45)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£31.45 vs £34.3)
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 10 years)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy The?

The Big Smoke 46 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Who should buy Balblair?

Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Tasting notes

Only The Big Smoke 46

SmokeyOily

Only Balblair 20 Year Old Cask 166 (Bladnoch) 35cl

SherriedCooked FruitHoneyOld WoodNutty

Explore more