Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L) vs New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

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

Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
DistilleryBallantine'sNew York Distilling Company
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandAmerica
TypeBlendedRye
ABV40%55.6%
AgeNAS3 yr
Price£40.95£39.95
Rating5.00/5

Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner65/100
Value100/100

Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £40 vs £41.

For beginners: Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£40.95 vs £39.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£39.95 vs £40.95)

Cons

  • High ABV (55.6%) — may need water

Who should buy Ballantine's?

Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L) 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 New?

New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaToastedNew Wood

Only Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)

Malt Extract

Only New York Distilling Company Rye 3 Year Old 2016 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

TobaccoHoney

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