Balvenie 30 Year Old vs Clynelish 24 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

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

Balvenie 30 Year OldClynelish 24 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts
DistilleryBalvenieClynelish
RegionSpeysideHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV44.2%61.3%
Age30 yr24 yr
Price£3192.95£2500
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie 30 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner75/100
Value2/100

Clynelish 24 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Smoke64/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Balvenie 30 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Clynelish 24 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Clynelish 24 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts is better value at £2500 vs £3193.

For beginners: Balvenie 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

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 £2500)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Clynelish 24 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£2500 vs £3192.95)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (61.3%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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.

Who should buy Clynelish?

Clynelish 24 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyOld Wood

Only Balvenie 30 Year Old

SherriedDried FruitChocolate

Only Clynelish 24 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts

SmokeyLeatheryToasted

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