Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits vs Balblair 18 Year Old

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

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star SpiritsBalblair 18 Year Old
DistilleryNorth Star SpiritsBalblair
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV43.1%46%
Age31 yr18 yr
Price£116.95£123.5
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner60/100
Value43/100

Balblair 18 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness76/100
Beginner75/100
Value40/100

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balblair 18 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £124.

For beginners: Balblair 18 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£116.95 vs £123.5)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 18 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Balblair 18 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£123.5 vs £116.95)

Who should buy Sirius?

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Who should buy Balblair?

Balblair 18 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

Vanilla

Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Old WoodNutty

Only Balblair 18 Year Old

SherriedHoneyChocolate

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