Balvenie 30 Year Old vs St Magdalene 1982 / 40 Year Old / Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Lowland Whisky

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

Balvenie 30 Year OldSt Magdalene 1982 / 40 Year Old / Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Lowland Whisky
DistilleryBalvenieSt Magdalene
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV44.2%40%
Age30 yrNAS
Price£3192.95£2925
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie 30 Year Old

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

St Magdalene 1982 / 40 Year Old / Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Lowland Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Balvenie 30 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

St Magdalene 1982 / 40 Year Old / Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Lowland Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

St Magdalene 1982 / 40 Year Old / Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Lowland Whisky is better value at £2925 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 £2925)

St Magdalene 1982 / 40 Year Old / Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Lowland Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£2925 vs £3192.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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 St?

St Magdalene 1982 / 40 Year Old / Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Lowland 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

SherriedHoneyDried FruitChocolateOld Wood

Only St Magdalene 1982 / 40 Year Old / Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection Lowland Whisky

Nutty

Explore more