Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Taylor's First Estate Reserve Port

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

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)Taylor's First Estate Reserve Port
DistilleryBalvenieTaylor's
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£20.95£16.25
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

Taylor's First Estate Reserve Port

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Taylor's First Estate Reserve Port

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Taylor's First Estate Reserve Port is better value at £16 vs £21.

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 widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£20.95 vs £16.25)

Taylor's First Estate Reserve Port

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£16.25 vs £20.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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 Taylor's?

Taylor's First Estate Reserve Port suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedCooked Fruit

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

VanillaHoneyToasted

Only Taylor's First Estate Reserve Port

Dried FruitOld Wood

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