Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing) vs Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)
Aberlour
£68
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
| Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing) | Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Aberlour | Balblair |
| Region | Speyside | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50% | 53.7% |
| Age | 21 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £67.95 | £60.45 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Quick verdict
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is better value at £60 vs £68.
For beginners: Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 20 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£67.95 vs £60.45)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£60.45 vs £67.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
Who should buy Aberlour?
Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing) 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.
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Where to buy
Aberlour 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 13742) - The Old Malt Cask (Hunter Laing)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange