Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs The Speyside 12 Year Old

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

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)The Speyside 12 Year Old
DistilleryBalvenieSpeyside
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%40%
Age12 yr12 yr
Price£20.95£28.67
Rating5.00/54.93/5

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

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

The Speyside 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Speyside 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.93).

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is better value at £21 vs £29.

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 £28.67)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

The Speyside 12 Year Old

Pros

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

Cons

  • More expensive (£28.67 vs £20.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.9 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 The?

The Speyside 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaHoneyToasted

Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)

SherriedCooked Fruit

Only The Speyside 12 Year Old

Malt ExtractFresh Fruit

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