Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) vs Yamazakura Blended Whisky

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

Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)Yamazakura Blended Whisky
DistilleryBalblairYamazakura
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV53.7%40%
Age20 yrNAS
Price£60.45£51.99
Rating5.00/53.27/5

Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner65/100
Value83/100

Yamazakura Blended Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness49/100
Beginner75/100
Value63/100

Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Yamazakura Blended Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.27).

Yamazakura Blended Whisky is better value at £52 vs £60.

For beginners: Yamazakura Blended Whisky is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£60.45 vs £51.99)

Yamazakura Blended Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£51.99 vs £60.45)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (3.3 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Balblair?

Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) 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.

Who should buy Yamazakura?

Yamazakura Blended Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Honey

Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)

SherriedDried FruitChocolateOld Wood

Only Yamazakura Blended Whisky

Fresh FruitMalt ExtractFragant

Explore more