Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old vs The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

Old Ballantruan 15 Year OldThe Antiquary 21 Year Old
DistilleryTomintoulThe Antiquary
RegionSpeysideOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV50%43%
Age15 yr21 yr
Price£80.5£84.9
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old

Smoke68/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner45/100
Value62/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner75/100
Value59/100

Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old is better value at £81 vs £85.

For beginners: The Antiquary 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£80.5 vs £84.9)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 15 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£84.9 vs £80.5)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Old?

Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy The?

The Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Only Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old

SmokeyToastedMedicinalOily

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Old WoodSherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

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