Whisky Forum - Balvenie 21 portwood vs Glenlivet XXV

Fightingirish

Hello everyone

Thoughts on these two Whiskies are much appreciated.

opelfruit · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 7:04 am Post subject:

My main thoughts are "both reduculously over priced".
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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

sorren · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:21 am Post subject:

Both are very nice whisky, you can not compare though, the balvenie is finished in port pipes and priced at Â£130 ish and the livet is finished in oloroso casks and priced at Â£200 ish.. Both are like Opel says slightly overpriced, if your happy to pay the money then go ahead.. I think I would pick the livet 25, it probably suits my palate more ..

opelfruit · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 11:17 am Post subject:

The price bracket you are going into, if for drinking purposes, is a bit of a bonkers one. There are certainly some very good whiskies in that bracket and certainly some that are worth it (Glenfarclas 30yo immediately springs to mind)....but the vast majority are over priced, "premiumized" bottles aimed at a certain drinker (too much money and not a great deal of sense). In my opinion both brands have much, much better bottles for a lot less in their lineup. The Balvenie, for example, I'd challange you to identify higher quality/more enjoyable whisky in the 21 portwood over either the 17yo doublewood or the 15yo single cask (sherry). So it depends on your purpose for wanting them; if it's for the experience then it's an expensive experience and you'd be better just getting some samples so you can say you've had them. If it's for bragging rights (look what I've got on my shelf) then go for it, the quality of whisky is irrelevant in this case. If it's for investment then don't bother, zero potential.

Whichever one you go for though, hope you enjoy.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

William · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 11:49 am Post subject:

Hi Fightingirish and welcome to the SMW Forum.

Yes both are expensive whiskies but if price was an issue I am guessing that you would not have asked for an opinion on them.

They are different whiskies, so it is difficult to compare them side by side, one with a delicious port influence the other with a sherry influence, both really are outstanding whiskies. The Balvenie I would say is the richer fruiter of the 2 and you will be hard pushed to find a better port matured whisky. The Glenlivet was finished in first fill oloroso sherry which adds to the Glenlivets trademark fruity, candied, vanilla notes and after 25 years maturing there is added oak and spice to tell you this is a mature whisky.

As I said both are outstanding.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

Cuba · Master Of Malts Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 296

For my tastes the Glenlivet XXV is the special whisky between these 2.

sorren · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 1:56 pm Post subject:

Although the question posed does not actually ask which one we would buy ! So it maybe is he/ she has tried both and wants to know which we liked best !! So it really would not matter what the price was.. But I would still pick the livet 25 but then I would rather have the balvenie 15 sherry like Opel pointed out ..

Kava · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 2:24 pm Post subject:

Both are excellent IMO, both different styles of whiskies as William says, just depends on your taste preference which one to go for.

Quaich1 · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 2:30 pm Post subject:

I'm kind of partial to the Glenlivet XXV.
Very Happy

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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

CGRenn · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Feb 2015 Posts: 684

Hum this is an interesting one. I have actually got a sample of the Portwood 21 lined up so I'll have a looky see....

Slightly OT, but doesn't anyone know if an older port cask whisky at cask strength is okay to take a tea spoon of water or do you have to be carful you don't drown it like and older sherry cask?

Bookie · Master Of Malts Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 945

Personally I rarely add any water to any whisky but if I do I use a dropper and just add a drop at a time until I get it how I like it. I personally wouldn't add any to the Balvenie 21 Portwood as it is only 40%

Kava · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:11 pm Post subject:

CGRenn don't add water, taste it first, I don't think it needs any water.

sorren · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:13 pm Post subject:

Not sure he means the balvenie.. You can certainly try adding water to a cask strength port cask whisky, just be careful, you can always add more but you can not take it out !

Fightingirish · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 5:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!!

Indeed I'm treating myself to a bottle to have around the Christmas holidays with close friends. I've picked the Glenlivet XXV as I believe at 349.00 cdn ( 263 usd) is the better Whisky for my dollar. The Balvenie 21 is also around 350 cdn

We are VERY limited in Ontario ( thanks LCBO) for Whisky. So I'm positive the price of the Glenlivet will skyrocket soon. As such I may never be able to purchase again.

Thanks for all the input.

sorren · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 5:52 pm Post subject:

If both bottles are the same price then yes I would defiantly buy the glenlivet 25.. It is a lovely smooth, rich dram.. A really nice bottle to have around.. Hope you enjoy it, and hopefully you will give us your thoughts once you open it..