The Balvenie 40 Year Old vs Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 4.80
£7225
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Yamazaki
★ 5.00
£7299
| The Balvenie 40 Year Old | Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Yamazaki |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 42.2% | 48% |
| Age | 40 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £7225 | £7299 |
| Rating | 4.80/5 | 5.00/5 |
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Quick verdict
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.80).
The Balvenie 40 Year Old is better value at £7225 vs £7299.
For beginners: The Balvenie 40 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
The Balvenie 40 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£7225 vs £7299)
- +Longer maturation (40 vs 18 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£7299 vs £7225)
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.
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 The Balvenie 40 Year Old