Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Heaven Hill Bourbon

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

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)Heaven Hill Bourbon
DistilleryBalvenieHeaven Hill
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandAmerica
TypeSingle MaltBourbon
ABV40%40%
Age12 yr4 yr
Price£20.95£23.63
Rating5.00/54.24/5

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Heaven Hill Bourbon

Smoke0/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Heaven Hill Bourbon

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.24).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £24.

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 £23.63)
  • +Longer maturation (12 vs 4 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Heaven Hill Bourbon

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£23.63 vs £20.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.2 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 Heaven?

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

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaToasted

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedHoneyCooked Fruit

Only Heaven Hill Bourbon

Cooked MashNutty

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