Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L) vs Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)
Ballantine's
£41
Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)
Master of Malt
★ 5.00
£30
| Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L) | Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ballantine's | Master of Malt |
| Region | Other Scotch | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 46% |
| Age | NAS | 9 yr |
| Price | £40.95 | £29.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)
Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)
Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)
Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) is better value at £30 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 £29.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£29.95 vs £40.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
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 Secret?
Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Ballantine's Barrel Smooth (1L)
Only Secret Highland 9 Year Old 2010 (Master of Malt)