Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 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 The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£47
| Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Big Peat |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 50% | 53.8% |
| Age | 17 yr | NAS |
| Price | £62.97 | £46.95 |
| Rating | 4.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Quick verdict
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021 is better value at £47 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 £46.95)
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£46.95 vs £62.97)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.8%) — 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 The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 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 The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Where to buy
Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Big Peat The Peatrichor Edition - Fèis Ìle 2021
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange