Hibiki 21 Year Old vs Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Hibiki 21 Year Old
Hibiki
★ 5.00
£750

Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling
Port Ellen
£595
| Hibiki 21 Year Old | Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Hibiki | Port Ellen |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 57.9% |
| Age | 21 yr | 24 yr |
| Price | £750 | £594.8 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Hibiki 21 Year Old
Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling
Hibiki 21 Year Old
Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling
Quick verdict
Hibiki 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling is better value at £595 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
- −More expensive (£750 vs £594.8)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£594.8 vs £750)
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.9%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 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 Port?
Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling 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 Hibiki 21 Year Old
Only Port Ellen 24 Year Old 1978 (bottled 2002) - The Whisky Shop 10th Anniversary Bottling