Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Balblair
★ 4.00
£63
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£48
| Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | Big Peat at Christmas 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Big Peat |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 50% | 52.8% |
| Age | 17 yr | NAS |
| Price | £62.97 | £47.9 |
| Rating | 4.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Quick verdict
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £63.
For beginners: Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£62.97 vs £47.9)
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£47.9 vs £62.97)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
Who should buy Big?
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 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.
Tasting notes
Only Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021