Ballantine's 10 Year Old vs Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

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

Ballantine's 10 Year OldMary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old
DistilleryBallantine'sMary Queen of Scots
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedBlended Malt
ABV40%40%
Age10 yr12 yr
Price£31.48£36.5
Rating5.00/5

Ballantine's 10 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Ballantine's 10 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Ballantine's 10 Year Old is better value at £31 vs £37.

For beginners: Ballantine's 10 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Ballantine's 10 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£31.48 vs £36.5)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (12 vs 10 years)

Cons

  • More expensive (£36.5 vs £31.48)

Who should buy Ballantine's?

Ballantine's 10 Year Old 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 Mary?

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaToastedHoneyMalt Extract

Only Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Fresh Fruit

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