SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey vs Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition

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

SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt WhiskeyHibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition
DistilleryCooleyHibiki
Region
CountryUnited KingdomJapan
TypeIrishBlended
ABV40%43%
AgeNASNAS
Price£1250£1200
Rating5.00/5

SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey

Smoke0/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner65/100
Value0/100

Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition

Smoke0/100
Sweetness54/100
Beginner70/100
Value4/100

SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition is better value at £1200 vs £1250.

For beginners: Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£1250 vs £1200)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£1200 vs £1250)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy SMWS?

SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Irish character.

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Fragant

Only SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey

Fresh FruitCitricYeasty

Only Hibiki Japanese Harmony - 30th Anniversary Limited Edition

HoneySherriedMalt ExtractOld Wood

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