Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks) vs Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Balblair
£160

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Benrinnes
★ 5.00
£117
| Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks) | Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Benrinnes |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 46% |
| Age | 17 yr | 24 yr |
| Price | £159.5 | £117.35 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Quick verdict
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is better value at £117 vs £160.
For beginners: Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£159.5 vs £117.35)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£117.35 vs £159.5)
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks) 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 Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Only Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Where to buy
Balblair 17 Year Old 2008 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange