Glen Scotia 14 Year Old (Peated Tawny Port Finish) - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020 vs Ballantine's 21 Year Old - 1980s

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

Glen Scotia 14 Year Old (Peated Tawny Port Finish) - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020Ballantine's 21 Year Old - 1980s
DistilleryGlen ScotiaBallantine's
RegionCampbeltownOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV52.8%43%
Age14 yrNAS
Price£179£199
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Glen Scotia 14 Year Old (Peated Tawny Port Finish) - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020

Smoke64/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner35/100
Value28/100

Ballantine's 21 Year Old - 1980s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value25/100

Glen Scotia 14 Year Old (Peated Tawny Port Finish) - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Ballantine's 21 Year Old - 1980s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glen Scotia 14 Year Old (Peated Tawny Port Finish) - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020 is better value at £179 vs £199.

For beginners: Ballantine's 21 Year Old - 1980s is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Glen Scotia 14 Year Old (Peated Tawny Port Finish) - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£179 vs £199)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (52.8%) — may need water

Ballantine's 21 Year Old - 1980s

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£199 vs £179)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Glen?

Glen Scotia 14 Year Old (Peated Tawny Port Finish) - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020 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 Ballantine's?

Ballantine's 21 Year Old - 1980s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Toasted

Only Glen Scotia 14 Year Old (Peated Tawny Port Finish) - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020

SmokeyChocolateLeathery

Only Ballantine's 21 Year Old - 1980s

VanillaHoneyMalt ExtractOld Wood

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