Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside Whisky vs Yamazaki 1984

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

Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside WhiskyYamazaki 1984
DistilleryBalvenieYamazaki
Region
CountryUnited KingdomJapan
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%48%
AgeNASNAS
Price£750£899.95
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness67/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Yamazaki 1984

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner55/100
Value6/100

Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Yamazaki 1984

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Yamazaki 1984 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside Whisky is better value at £750 vs £900.

For beginners: Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside Whisky is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside Whisky

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£750 vs £899.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Yamazaki 1984

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£899.95 vs £750)

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside Whisky 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.

Who should buy Yamazaki?

Yamazaki 1984 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedVanillaOld Wood

Only Balvenie 18 Year Old Classic / Bot.1980s Speyside Whisky

Dried Fruit

Only Yamazaki 1984

ToastedNutty

Explore more