Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965 vs Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
| Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965 | Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Karuizawa |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 42% | 57.7% |
| Age | 52 yr | 48 yr |
| Price | £42999 | £27995.95 |
| Rating | — | 4.62/5 |
Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Quick verdict
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) is rated higher (4.62 vs 0.00).
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) is better value at £27996 vs £42999.
For beginners: Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965 is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (52 vs 48 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£42999 vs £27995.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.6)
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (4.6/5)
- +More affordable (£27995.95 vs £42999)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) 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
Both taste of
Only Bowmore 52 Year Old 1965
Only Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)