Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Benrinnes 8 Year Old 2008 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)

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

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)Benrinnes 8 Year Old 2008 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)
DistilleryBalvenieBenrinnes
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%46%
Age12 yr8 yr
Price£20.95£31.97
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Benrinnes 8 Year Old 2008 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness51/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Benrinnes 8 Year Old 2008 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £32.

For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£20.95 vs £31.97)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Benrinnes 8 Year Old 2008 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£31.97 vs £20.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Who should buy Benrinnes?

Benrinnes 8 Year Old 2008 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyToasted

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanillaCooked Fruit

Only Benrinnes 8 Year Old 2008 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)

Malt ExtractFresh FruitOily

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