Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) vs Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker)
Loch Lomond
★ 4.50
£67
| Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Loch Lomond |
| Region | Highland | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.7% | 56.3% |
| Age | 20 yr | 11 yr |
| Price | £60.45 | £66.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.50/5 |
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker)
Quick verdict
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is better value at £60 vs £67.
For beginners: Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£60.45 vs £66.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (56.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£66.95 vs £60.45)
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Croftengea?
Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker) 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
Both taste of
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Only Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker)
Where to buy
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Croftengea 11 Year Old 2010 (cask 335) - The Wild Scotland Collection (Deerstalker)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange