Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Elements of Islay
£23
| Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Elements of Islay |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 54.5% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £20.95 | £22.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
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 £23.
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 £22.95)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£22.95 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 Elements?
Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl) 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 DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Only Elements of Islay Trio (3 x 5cl)