Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky vs The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky
Karuizawa
£5999
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 4.80
£7225
| Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky | The Balvenie 40 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Balvenie |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 63.9% | 42.2% |
| Age | 23 yr | 40 yr |
| Price | £5999 | £7225 |
| Rating | — | 4.80/5 |
Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Quick verdict
The Balvenie 40 Year Old is rated higher (4.80 vs 0.00).
Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky is better value at £5999 vs £7225.
For beginners: The Balvenie 40 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky
Pros
- +More affordable (£5999 vs £7225)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (63.9%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
Cons
- −More expensive (£7225 vs £5999)
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky 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.
Who should buy The?
The Balvenie 40 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky
Only The Balvenie 40 Year Old