Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino vs The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
Karuizawa
£8995
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 4.80
£7225
| Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino | The Balvenie 40 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Balvenie |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.7% | 42.2% |
| Age | 35 yr | 40 yr |
| Price | £8995 | £7225 |
| Rating | — | 4.80/5 |
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Quick verdict
The Balvenie 40 Year Old is rated higher (4.80 vs 0.00).
The Balvenie 40 Year Old is better value at £7225 vs £8995.
For beginners: The Balvenie 40 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£8995 vs £7225)
- −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
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino 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 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
Only The Balvenie 40 Year Old