Hibiki 21 Year Old vs The Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old 1976 (Special Release 2014)

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

Hibiki 21 Year OldThe Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old 1976 (Special Release 2014)
DistilleryHibikiGlendullan
RegionSpeyside
CountryJapanScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%59.8%
Age21 yr38 yr
Price£750£750
Rating5.00/54.00/5

Hibiki 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner85/100
Value7/100

The Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old 1976 (Special Release 2014)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner35/100
Value5/100

Hibiki 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old 1976 (Special Release 2014)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).

The Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old 1976 (Special Release 2014) is better value at £750 vs £750.

For beginners: Hibiki 21 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Hibiki 21 Year Old

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

The Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old 1976 (Special Release 2014)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (38 vs 21 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (59.8%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki 21 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 The?

The Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old 1976 (Special Release 2014) 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

Dried Fruit

Only Hibiki 21 Year Old

HoneyVanilla

Only The Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old 1976 (Special Release 2014)

Old WoodSherriedTobacco

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