Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary Release vs The Balvenie 40 Year Old

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

Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary ReleaseThe Balvenie 40 Year Old
DistilleryLittlemillBalvenie
RegionLowlandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV41.8%42.2%
Age45 yr40 yr
Price£9500£7225
Rating4.80/5

Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary Release

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

The Balvenie 40 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness78/100
Beginner85/100
Value1/100

Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary Release

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Balvenie 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £9500.

For beginners: The Balvenie 40 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary Release

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (45 vs 40 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£9500 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 Littlemill?

Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary Release suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.

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

Old WoodHoneySherried

Only Littlemill 45 Year Old 250th Anniversary Release

Dried FruitNutty

Only The Balvenie 40 Year Old

Vanilla

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