Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength

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

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength
DistilleryBalblairKilchoman
RegionHighlandIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV50%56.9%
Age17 yr6 yr
Price£62.97£77
Rating4.00/55.00/5

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

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

Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner30/100
Value65/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is better value at £63 vs £77.

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

  • +More affordable (£62.97 vs £77)
  • +Longer maturation (17 vs 6 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (56.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£77 vs £62.97)

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 Kilchoman?

Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength 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)

VanillaHoneyMalt ExtractOld WoodToasted

Only Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength

SmokeyFresh FruitNew WoodOily

Where to buy

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

Kilchoman 6 Year Old 2010 Original Cask Strength

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