Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Black Velvet
★ 3.71
£30
| Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Black Velvet |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Canada |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Age | 12 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £20.95 | £29.89 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 3.71/5 |
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.71).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £30.
For beginners: Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£20.95 vs £29.89)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
Cons
- −More expensive (£29.89 vs £20.95)
- −Lower community rating (3.7 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 Black?
Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Only Black Velvet Reserve 8 Year Old