Karuizawa 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 8606) - Geisha Label vs Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Karuizawa 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 8606) - Geisha Label
Karuizawa
£7999
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Yamazaki
★ 5.00
£7299
| Karuizawa 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 8606) - Geisha Label | Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Yamazaki |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.8% | 48% |
| Age | 30 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £7999 | £7299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Karuizawa 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 8606) - Geisha Label
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Karuizawa 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 8606) - Geisha Label
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Quick verdict
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is better value at £7299 vs £7999.
For beginners: Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 8606) - Geisha Label
Pros
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 18 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£7999 vs £7299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 8606) - Geisha Label 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 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 Karuizawa 30 Year Old 1983 (cask 8606) - Geisha Label
Only Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)