Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) vs Blair Athol 16 Year Old 2008 (cask 18601602) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Kininvie
★ 5.00
£120
Blair Athol 16 Year Old 2008 (cask 18601602) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Blair Athol
£134
| Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) | Blair Athol 16 Year Old 2008 (cask 18601602) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Kininvie | Blair Athol |
| Region | Speyside | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 42.6% | 57.8% |
| Age | 17 yr | 16 yr |
| Price | £120 | £133.52 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Blair Athol 16 Year Old 2008 (cask 18601602) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Blair Athol 16 Year Old 2008 (cask 18601602) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Quick verdict
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is better value at £120 vs £134.
For beginners: Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Blair Athol 16 Year Old 2008 (cask 18601602) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.52 vs £120)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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.
Who should buy Blair?
Blair Athol 16 Year Old 2008 (cask 18601602) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Tasting notes
Only Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Only Blair Athol 16 Year Old 2008 (cask 18601602) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)