Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Firean

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

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)Firean
DistilleryBalvenieFirean
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV40%43%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£20.95£22.95
Rating5.00/53.60/5

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Firean

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Firean

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.60).

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
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£20.95 vs £22.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Firean

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£22.95 vs £20.95)
  • Lower community rating (3.6 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 Firean?

Firean suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Toasted

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanillaHoneyCooked Fruit

Only Firean

SmokeyMalt ExtractFresh Fruit

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