Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Politician (Duncan Taylor)

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

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)Politician (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryBalvenieDuncan Taylor
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV40%40%
Age12 yr3 yr
Price£20.95£21.8
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Politician (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness51/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Politician (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £22.

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 £21.8)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Politician (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

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

Cons

  • More expensive (£21.8 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 Politician?

Politician (Duncan Taylor) 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

HoneyToasted

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedVanillaCooked Fruit

Only Politician (Duncan Taylor)

Malt ExtractSmokeyFresh Fruit

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