Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask vs Bowmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Balvenie
★ 4.80
£599
Bowmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Bowmore
£835
| Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask | Bowmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Bowmore |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 47.4% |
| Age | 17 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £599 | £835 |
| Rating | 4.80/5 | — |
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Bowmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Bowmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask is rated higher (4.80 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask is better value at £599 vs £835.
For beginners: Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
- +More affordable (£599 vs £835)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bowmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£835 vs £599)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Only Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Only Bowmore 30 Year Old 1989 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)