Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) vs Smögen 2012 (bottled 2022) (cask 34) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Kininvie
★ 5.00
£120
Smögen 2012 (bottled 2022) (cask 34) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Smögen
£168
| Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) | Smögen 2012 (bottled 2022) (cask 34) - Berry Bros. & Rudd | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Kininvie | Smögen |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Sweden |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 42.6% | 59.6% |
| Age | 17 yr | NAS |
| Price | £120 | £168.2 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Smögen 2012 (bottled 2022) (cask 34) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Smögen 2012 (bottled 2022) (cask 34) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
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 £168.
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
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Smögen 2012 (bottled 2022) (cask 34) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (59.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£168.2 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 Smögen?
Smögen 2012 (bottled 2022) (cask 34) - Berry Bros. & Rudd 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 Smögen 2012 (bottled 2022) (cask 34) - Berry Bros. & Rudd