Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020) vs Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Cardhu
★ 5.00
£84
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Kininvie
★ 5.00
£120
| Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020) | Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Cardhu | Kininvie |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56% | 42.6% |
| Age | 11 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £83.9 | £120 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Quick verdict
Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020) is better value at £84 vs £120.
For beginners: Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£83.9 vs £120)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (56%) — may need water
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 11 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£120 vs £83.9)
Who should buy Cardhu?
Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Kininvie?
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Cardhu 11 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Only Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)