Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Balblair
£175
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
North Star Spirits
★ 5.00
£117
| Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | North Star Spirits |
| Region | Highland | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 50.5% | 43.1% |
| Age | 23 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £175 | £116.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
Quick verdict
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £175.
For beginners: Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£175 vs £116.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£116.95 vs £175)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 23 years)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 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
Only Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
Where to buy
Balblair 23 Year Old 1998 (cask 1075) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange