Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask vs Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Balvenie
★ 4.80
£599
Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
That Boutique-y Whisky Company
★ 5.00
£850
| Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask | Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | That Boutique-y Whisky Company |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 52.5% |
| Age | 17 yr | 50 yr |
| Price | £599 | £849.95 |
| Rating | 4.80/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Quick verdict
Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.80).
Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask is better value at £599 vs £850.
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
- +More affordable (£599 vs £849.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (50 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£849.95 vs £599)
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 Speyside?
Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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.
Tasting notes
Only Balvenie 17 Year Old Madeira Cask
Only Speyside #1 50 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)