Ballantine's 17 Year Old vs Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

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

Ballantine's 17 Year OldFamous Grouse Highland Decanter
DistilleryBallantine'sFamous Grouse
RegionOther ScotchOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedBlended
ABV40%40%
Age17 yrNAS
Price£79.95£99.99
Rating3.06/55.00/5

Ballantine's 17 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner75/100
Value38/100

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Ballantine's 17 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.06).

Ballantine's 17 Year Old is better value at £80 vs £100.

For beginners: Ballantine's 17 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Ballantine's 17 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£79.95 vs £99.99)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (3.1 vs 5.0)

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • More expensive (£99.99 vs £79.95)

Who should buy Ballantine's?

Ballantine's 17 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Who should buy Famous?

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyMalt ExtractVanillaToasted

Only Ballantine's 17 Year Old

Fresh Fruit

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