The Balvenie 40 Year Old vs Dalmore 33 Year Old 1978 (cask 1) - Constellation Collection

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

The Balvenie 40 Year OldDalmore 33 Year Old 1978 (cask 1) - Constellation Collection
DistilleryBalvenieDalmore
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV42.2%47.1%
Age40 yr33 yr
Price£7225£8999
Rating4.80/5

The Balvenie 40 Year Old

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

Dalmore 33 Year Old 1978 (cask 1) - Constellation Collection

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

The Balvenie 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Dalmore 33 Year Old 1978 (cask 1) - 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 £8999.

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 33 Year Old 1978 (cask 1) - Constellation Collection

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£8999 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 33 Year Old 1978 (cask 1) - Constellation Collection suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old WoodSherriedHoney

Only The Balvenie 40 Year Old

Vanilla

Only Dalmore 33 Year Old 1978 (cask 1) - Constellation Collection

Dried FruitChocolate

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