Balcones True Blue Cask Strength vs Belgrove 2016 (bottled 2023) (cask 170216) - Collective #1: The Pioneers (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Balcones
★ 5.00
£102

Belgrove 2016 (bottled 2023) (cask 170216) - Collective #1: The Pioneers (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Belgrove Distillery
£122
| Balcones True Blue Cask Strength | Belgrove 2016 (bottled 2023) (cask 170216) - Collective #1: The Pioneers (Berry Bros. & Rudd) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balcones | Belgrove Distillery |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | America | Australia |
| Type | Corn | Rye |
| ABV | 65.7% | 61.1% |
| Age | NAS | NAS |
| Price | £101.95 | £121.88 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Belgrove 2016 (bottled 2023) (cask 170216) - Collective #1: The Pioneers (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Belgrove 2016 (bottled 2023) (cask 170216) - Collective #1: The Pioneers (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Quick verdict
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is better value at £102 vs £122.
For beginners: Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£101.95 vs £121.88)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (65.7%) — may need water
Belgrove 2016 (bottled 2023) (cask 170216) - Collective #1: The Pioneers (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (61.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£121.88 vs £101.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balcones?
Balcones True Blue 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.
Who should buy Belgrove?
Belgrove 2016 (bottled 2023) (cask 170216) - Collective #1: The Pioneers (Berry Bros. & Rudd) 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 Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Only Belgrove 2016 (bottled 2023) (cask 170216) - Collective #1: The Pioneers (Berry Bros. & Rudd)