Balblair 18 Year Old vs Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

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

Balblair 18 Year OldSirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
DistilleryBalblairNorth Star Spirits
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%43.1%
Age18 yr31 yr
Price£123.5£116.95
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Balblair 18 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness76/100
Beginner75/100
Value40/100

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner60/100
Value43/100

Balblair 18 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £124.

For beginners: Balblair 18 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Balblair 18 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£123.5 vs £116.95)

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£116.95 vs £123.5)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 18 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Balblair?

Balblair 18 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 Sirius?

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Vanilla

Only Balblair 18 Year Old

SherriedHoneyChocolate

Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Old WoodNutty

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