Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood vs Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Balvenie
★ 4.27
£399

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve
Glenfiddich
★ 5.00
£499
| Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood | Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Glenfiddich |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 40% |
| Age | 17 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £399 | £499 |
| Rating | 4.27/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve
Quick verdict
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.27).
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood is better value at £399 vs £499.
For beginners: Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£399 vs £499)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£499 vs £399)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood 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 Glenfiddich?
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve 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 Balvenie 17 Year Old DoubleWood
Only Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve