Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie) vs Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie)
Aultmore
£45
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
| Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie) | Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Aultmore | Balblair |
| Region | Speyside | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 53.7% |
| Age | 9 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £44.95 | £60.45 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Quick verdict
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie) is better value at £45 vs £60.
For beginners: Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie) is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).
Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£44.95 vs £60.45)
Cons
- −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)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 9 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£60.45 vs £44.95)
Who should buy Aultmore?
Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie) 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 Aultmore 9 Year Old 2014 (cask 301178, 307606, 307608 & 307616) - Small Batch (James Eadie)
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)