The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask vs Balvenie 30 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask
The Macallan
£2999
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£3193
| The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask | Balvenie 30 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Macallan | Balvenie |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 59.3% | 44.2% |
| Age | 21 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £2999 | £3192.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask
Balvenie 30 Year Old
The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Quick verdict
Balvenie 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask is better value at £2999 vs £3193.
For beginners: Balvenie 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask
Pros
- +More affordable (£2999 vs £3192.95)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (59.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −More expensive (£3192.95 vs £2999)
Who should buy The?
The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask 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.
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 30 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
Only The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask
Only Balvenie 30 Year Old