Discover the differences between Balvenie 12 vs Glenfiddich 15 in this in-depth comparison and decide which Single Malt is better for You!
Balvenie 12 DoubleWood

Nose | Honey, toffee, vanilla, pear |
Palate | Caramel, apple, citrus |
Finish | Spicy oak, roasted nuts |
Alcohol content | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
How to drink | Neat or add water |
Similar to | Oban 14, Aberlour 12 |
But definitely, one of the best Single Malts in the 12 YO category.
There are a few facts worth knowing about this Scotch:
- Aged for 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels and then kept in Oloroso Sherry butts for 9 months before bottling.
- Oloroso is a dry and aromatic style of sherry wine made in Jerez, Spain recognized for its delicious sweetness.
- Balvenie 12 Year Old Doublewood earned the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve

Nose | Sherry, orange, oak |
Palate | Sherry, orange, cinnamon, ginger, oak |
Finish | Oak spice, sherry |
Alcohol content | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
How to drink | Neat or add water |
Similar to | Macallan 12, Glenfiddich 14 |
The nose is high in sherry aroma up-front, followed by hints of orange and subtle oak.
On the palate, Glenfiddich 15 has a decent body without being creamy or watery. Flavor is mostly sherry and light orange, followed by hints of ginger and oak.
The finish is medium-length bringing some oak spice, yet nothing severe and more sherry which is the common theme from nose to finish.
Glenfiddich 15 is a nice and smooth, perhaps a little too smooth, sweet malt, with a strong sherry and orange note.
This is not the richest whisky but it is an easy drinker, with hardly any burn at a great price offering good value for the money.
If you feel spicy notes on the finish add a few drops of water. Just two or three drops are enough to tune it down and make it sweeter.
Overall, Glenfiddich 15 is a straight up sherried Scotch, neither bad nor great at a very attractive price making a good candidate for an everyday Scotch.
What makes this whisky interesting is that it was aged in three different types of casks: ex bourbon, ex-sherry, and new virgin American oak.
The whisky is then vatted into a Solera System similar to those used for the aging of Sherry wine. Once aged the whisky is married for a further period in Portuguese oak tuns to achieve consistency.
There are a few facts worth knowing about this whisky:
- Bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV).
- Glenfiddich is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky produced by William Grant & Sons in Moray.
- Glenfiddich means “valley of the deer” in Gaelic, which is reflected in Glenfiddich’s stag logo.
- The Glenfiddich Distillery was founded in 1886 by William Grant and the first whisky saw the light on Christmas Day 1887.
- Glenfiddich is the best-selling single malt Scotch across the globe.
What do Balvenie 12 and Glenfiddich 15 have in common?
Owned by the same parent company
- Balvenie and Glenfiddich are owned by Scotland-based William Grant & Sons along the Monkey Shoulder (Review).
- They are crafted at their own distilleries so there are not the same whisky in a different bottle.
Balvenie 12 vs Glenfiddich 15: Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
Whisky | Price |
Balvenie 12 | $63 |
Glenfiddich 15 | $60 |
Balvenie 12 vs Glenfiddich 15: Which is better?
Glenfiddich is easier to like
Whiskey | Balvenie 12 | Glenfiddich 15 |
Nose | ✅ | ✅ |
Body | ✅ | |
Palate | ✅ | ✅ |
Finish | ✅ | ✅ |
Value | ✅ | ✅ |
- Both are incredibly smooth with no harsh notes but the Glenfiddich is a safer bet as it’s easier to like as it’s a full sherried and sweet whisky.
- Better option for new drinkers or those who prefer a sweet and easy drinking malt.
- Price makes it especially attractive for a 15 year old whisky.
- Balvenie 12 feels more robust and a better option for well-traveled aficionados.

I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should!