Hibiki 21 Year Old vs Glen Grant 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

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

Hibiki 21 Year OldGlen Grant 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
DistilleryHibikiGlen Grant
RegionSpeyside
CountryJapanScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%54%
Age21 yr36 yr
Price£750£699.95
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Hibiki 21 Year Old

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

Glen Grant 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner45/100
Value7/100

Hibiki 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glen Grant 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glen Grant 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is better value at £700 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
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£750 vs £699.95)

Glen Grant 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£699.95 vs £750)
  • +Longer maturation (36 vs 21 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (54%) — may need water

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 Glen?

Glen Grant 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) 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 Glen Grant 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)

Old WoodSherriedNuttyTobacco

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