The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old vs The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

The Kurayoshi 8 Year OldThe Antiquary 21 Year Old
DistilleryKurayoshiThe Antiquary
RegionOther Scotch
CountryJapanScotland
TypeBlended MaltBlended
ABV43%43%
Age8 yr21 yr
Price£103.9£84.9
Rating5.00/5

The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner75/100
Value59/100

The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £104.

For beginners: The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£103.9 vs £84.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£84.9 vs £103.9)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy The?

The Kurayoshi 8 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 Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Only The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyFresh FruitNew Wood

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Old WoodSherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

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