Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

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

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl
DistilleryBalveniePenderyn
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandWales
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%46%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£20.95£24.87
Rating5.00/54.67/5

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

Smoke0/100
Sweetness51/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.67).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £25.

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 £24.87)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£24.87 vs £20.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.7 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 Penderyn?

Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyCooked FruitToasted

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanilla

Only Penderyn Madeira Finish 35cl

Fresh Fruit

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