Balvenie 30 Year Old vs SMWS 116.10 (Yoichi) / 1987 / 18 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£3193
SMWS 116.10 (Yoichi) / 1987 / 18 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Yoichi
£5000
| Balvenie 30 Year Old | SMWS 116.10 (Yoichi) / 1987 / 18 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Yoichi |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | United Kingdom |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 44.2% | 40% |
| Age | 30 yr | NAS |
| Price | £3192.95 | £5000 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balvenie 30 Year Old
SMWS 116.10 (Yoichi) / 1987 / 18 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Balvenie 30 Year Old
SMWS 116.10 (Yoichi) / 1987 / 18 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Quick verdict
Balvenie 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 30 Year Old is better value at £3193 vs £5000.
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
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
SMWS 116.10 (Yoichi) / 1987 / 18 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£5000 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 SMWS?
SMWS 116.10 (Yoichi) / 1987 / 18 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 30 Year Old
Only SMWS 116.10 (Yoichi) / 1987 / 18 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky