Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) vs Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£299
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Balvenie
★ 4.27
£399
| Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) | Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Talisker | Balvenie |
| Region | Island | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 59.4% | 43% |
| Age | 8 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £299 | £399 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.27/5 |
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Quick verdict
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.27).
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is better value at £299 vs £399.
For beginners: Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£299 vs £399)
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 8 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£399 vs £299)
- −Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Talisker?
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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 17 Year Old DoubleWood 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 Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Only Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood