Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Balblair
£125
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Benrinnes
★ 5.00
£117
| Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | 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 | 40.4% | 46% |
| Age | 35 yr | 24 yr |
| Price | £124.95 | £117.35 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
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 £125.
For beginners: Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 24 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£124.95 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 £124.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) 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.
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 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Only Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)