Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky vs Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky
Balvenie
£7225
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Yamazaki
★ 5.00
£7299
| Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky | Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Yamazaki |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | United Kingdom | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 48% |
| Age | NAS | 18 yr |
| Price | £7225 | £7299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Quick verdict
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky is better value at £7225 vs £7299.
For beginners: Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£7225 vs £7299)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
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 (£7299 vs £7225)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky 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 Yamazaki?
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 40 Year Old Rare Marriages (42.2%) Speyside Whisky
Only Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)