Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s
Ballantine's
£299

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Smooth Ambler
★ 5.00
£299
| Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s | Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ballantine's | Smooth Ambler |
| Region | Other Scotch | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Blended | Bourbon |
| ABV | 43% | 47.1% |
| Age | 30 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £299 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Quick verdict
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release is better value at £299 vs £299.
For beginners: Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Ballantine's?
Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s 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 Smooth?
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Bourbon character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Ballantine's 30 Year Old - 1990s
Only Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release