Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel vs Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel
Balvenie
£395
Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)
Pulteney
★ 5.00
£399
| Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel | Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Pulteney |
| Region | — | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 46% |
| Age | 15 yr | 26 yr |
| Price | £395 | £399 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel
Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel
Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)
Quick verdict
Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel is better value at £395 vs £399.
For beginners: Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel
Pros
- +More affordable (£395 vs £399)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 15 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£399 vs £395)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Who should buy Old?
Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 15 Year Old 1985 (cask 302) Single Barrel
Only Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)