Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Flaming Pig Black Cask

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

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)Flaming Pig Black Cask
DistilleryBalblairFlaming Pig
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV50%40%
Age17 yrNAS
Price£62.97£40.24
Rating4.00/55.00/5

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner60/100
Value64/100

Flaming Pig Black Cask

Smoke64/100
Sweetness69/100
Beginner80/100
Value100/100

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Flaming Pig Black Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Flaming Pig Black Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).

Flaming Pig Black Cask is better value at £40 vs £63.

For beginners: Flaming Pig Black Cask is more approachable (80/100 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 £40.24)
  • Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Flaming Pig Black Cask

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

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 Flaming?

Flaming Pig Black Cask 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaHoneyToasted

Only Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Malt ExtractOld Wood

Only Flaming Pig Black Cask

SmokeyChocolate

Where to buy

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Flaming Pig Black Cask

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