The Balvenie 40 Year Old vs Dalmore 35 Year Old 1976 (cask 3) - Constellation Collection

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

The Balvenie 40 Year OldDalmore 35 Year Old 1976 (cask 3) - Constellation Collection
DistilleryBalvenieDalmore
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV42.2%51.1%
Age40 yr35 yr
Price£7225£8999.95
Rating4.80/5

The Balvenie 40 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness78/100
Beginner85/100
Value1/100

Dalmore 35 Year Old 1976 (cask 3) - Constellation Collection

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

The Balvenie 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Dalmore 35 Year Old 1976 (cask 3) - Constellation Collection

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Balvenie 40 Year Old is rated higher (4.80 vs 0.00).

The Balvenie 40 Year Old is better value at £7225 vs £9000.

For beginners: The Balvenie 40 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

The Balvenie 40 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.8/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Dalmore 35 Year Old 1976 (cask 3) - Constellation Collection

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (51.1%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£8999.95 vs £7225)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)

Who should buy The?

The Balvenie 40 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.

Who should buy Dalmore?

Dalmore 35 Year Old 1976 (cask 3) - Constellation Collection is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old WoodVanillaHoney

Only The Balvenie 40 Year Old

Sherried

Only Dalmore 35 Year Old 1976 (cask 3) - Constellation Collection

Dried FruitToasted

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