Balvenie 30 Year Old vs Yoichi 20 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
| Balvenie 30 Year Old | Yoichi 20 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Yoichi |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 44.2% | 52% |
| Age | 30 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £3192.95 | £2500 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.33/5 |
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Yoichi 20 Year Old
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Yoichi 20 Year Old
Quick verdict
Balvenie 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.33).
Yoichi 20 Year Old 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
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 20 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£3192.95 vs £2500)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Yoichi 20 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£2500 vs £3192.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (52%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.3 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 Yoichi?
Yoichi 20 Year Old 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
Only Balvenie 30 Year Old
Only Yoichi 20 Year Old