Brora 23 Year Old 1980 (cask 824) - Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod) vs Hibiki 17 Year Old

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

Brora 23 Year Old 1980 (cask 824) - Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod)Hibiki 17 Year Old
DistilleryBroraHibiki
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV49%43%
Age23 yr17 yr
Price£995£699
Rating4.75/5

Brora 23 Year Old 1980 (cask 824) - Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 17 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner70/100
Value7/100

Brora 23 Year Old 1980 (cask 824) - Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hibiki 17 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 17 Year Old is rated higher (4.75 vs 0.00).

Hibiki 17 Year Old is better value at £699 vs £995.

For beginners: Hibiki 17 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Brora 23 Year Old 1980 (cask 824) - Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 17 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£995 vs £699)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.7)

Hibiki 17 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
  • +More affordable (£699 vs £995)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Brora?

Brora 23 Year Old 1980 (cask 824) - Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki 17 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Only Brora 23 Year Old 1980 (cask 824) - Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod)

SmokeyOld WoodLeatheryDried Fruit

Only Hibiki 17 Year Old

HoneyVanillaFragantMalt Extract

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