Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky vs Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

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

Storyman Blended Scotch WhiskyBalblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
DistilleryAnnandaleBalblair
RegionLowlandHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV46%50%
AgeNAS17 yr
Price£46.95£62.97
Rating5.00/54.00/5

Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky

Smoke64/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner70/100
Value100/100

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner60/100
Value64/100

Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).

Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky is better value at £47 vs £63.

For beginners: Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£62.97 vs £46.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Storyman?

Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky 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 Balblair?

Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyVanilla

Only Storyman Blended Scotch Whisky

Fresh FruitSmokey

Only Balblair 17 Year Old 1990 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Malt ExtractOld WoodToasted

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