Ardbeg 21 Year Old vs Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£599
Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Balblair
£599
| Ardbeg 21 Year Old | Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Balblair |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 42.8% |
| Age | 21 yr | 40 yr |
| Price | £599 | £599 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Quick verdict
Ardbeg 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland) is better value at £599 vs £599.
For beginners: Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (40 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Only Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Where to buy
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Balblair 40 Year Old (cask 1346) (The Single Malts of Scotland)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange