New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988 vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988
The New Zealand Whisky Company
£126
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 5.00
£119
| New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988 | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The New Zealand Whisky Company | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | New Zealand | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 56.4% | 53.5% |
| Age | 23 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £125.95 | £119 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Quick verdict
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof is better value at £119 vs £126.
For beginners: New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988 is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 10 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£125.95 vs £119)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£119 vs £125.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
Who should buy New?
New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988 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.
Who should buy Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof 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.
Tasting notes
Only New Zealand 23 Year Old 1988
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof