Balvenie 30 Year Old vs Glen Grant 1951 (bottled 2011) - (Gordon & MacPhail)

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

Balvenie 30 Year OldGlen Grant 1951 (bottled 2011) - (Gordon & MacPhail)
DistilleryBalvenieGlen Grant
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV44.2%40%
Age30 yr59 yr
Price£3192.95£2800
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie 30 Year Old

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

Glen Grant 1951 (bottled 2011) - (Gordon & MacPhail)

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

Balvenie 30 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glen Grant 1951 (bottled 2011) - (Gordon & MacPhail)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Glen Grant 1951 (bottled 2011) - (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £2800 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 £2800)

Glen Grant 1951 (bottled 2011) - (Gordon & MacPhail)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£2800 vs £3192.95)
  • +Longer maturation (59 vs 30 years)
  • +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 Glen?

Glen Grant 1951 (bottled 2011) - (Gordon & MacPhail) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedHoneyDried FruitChocolateOld Wood

Only Glen Grant 1951 (bottled 2011) - (Gordon & MacPhail)

Toasted

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