Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Bladnoch 20 Year Old

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

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)Bladnoch 20 Year Old
DistilleryBalvenieBladnoch
RegionSpeysideLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%40%
Age12 yr20 yr
Price£20.95£20.14
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Bladnoch 20 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Bladnoch 20 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Bladnoch 20 Year Old is better value at £20 vs £21.

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
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£20.95 vs £20.14)

Bladnoch 20 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£20.14 vs £20.95)
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

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 Bladnoch?

Bladnoch 20 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Honey

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanillaCooked FruitToasted

Only Bladnoch 20 Year Old

Fresh FruitMalt ExtractHay-likeLeafy

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