Midleton Very Rare / Bot.1984 / First Release Blended Irish Whiskey vs Balvenie 30 Year Old

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

Midleton Very Rare / Bot.1984 / First Release Blended Irish WhiskeyBalvenie 30 Year Old
DistilleryMidletonBalvenie
RegionSpeyside
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeIrishSingle Malt
ABV40%44.2%
AgeNAS30 yr
Price£2500£3192.95
Rating5.00/5

Midleton Very Rare / Bot.1984 / First Release Blended Irish Whiskey

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Balvenie 30 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner75/100
Value2/100

Midleton Very Rare / Bot.1984 / First Release Blended Irish Whiskey

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie 30 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Midleton Very Rare / Bot.1984 / First Release Blended Irish Whiskey is better value at £2500 vs £3193.

For beginners: Balvenie 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Midleton Very Rare / Bot.1984 / First Release Blended Irish Whiskey

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£2500 vs £3192.95)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Balvenie 30 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • More expensive (£3192.95 vs £2500)

Who should buy Midleton?

Midleton Very Rare / Bot.1984 / First Release Blended Irish Whiskey suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Irish character.

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie 30 Year Old 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneySherried

Only Midleton Very Rare / Bot.1984 / First Release Blended Irish Whiskey

VanillaMalt ExtractToasted

Only Balvenie 30 Year Old

Dried FruitChocolateOld Wood

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