Balvenie 30 Year Old vs Karuizawa 19 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£3193
Karuizawa 19 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Karuizawa
£3500
| Balvenie 30 Year Old | Karuizawa 19 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Karuizawa |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 44.2% | 48.4% |
| Age | 30 yr | 19 yr |
| Price | £3192.95 | £3499.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Karuizawa 19 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Karuizawa 19 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Balvenie 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 30 Year Old is better value at £3193 vs £3500.
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
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Karuizawa 19 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£3499.95 vs £3192.95)
- −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 Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 19 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 30 Year Old
Only Karuizawa 19 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt)