Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One vs Shirakawa 1958
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One
Balvenie
★ 4.38
£19000

Shirakawa 1958
Takara Shuzo
★ 5.00
£23495
| Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One | Shirakawa 1958 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Takara Shuzo |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 45.9% | 49% |
| Age | 46 yr | NAS |
| Price | £19000 | £23495 |
| Rating | 4.38/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One
Shirakawa 1958
Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One
Shirakawa 1958
Quick verdict
Shirakawa 1958 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.38).
Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One is better value at £19000 vs £23495.
For beginners: Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One
Pros
- +More affordable (£19000 vs £23495)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.4 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Shirakawa 1958
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£23495 vs £19000)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Who should buy Shirakawa?
Shirakawa 1958 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
Only Balvenie 46 Year Old 1968 (cask 7293) - The Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter One
Only Shirakawa 1958