Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Hanyu 2000 (bottled 2016) (cask 359) - A Decade as Number One
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Strathisla
★ 5.00
£1299

Hanyu 2000 (bottled 2016) (cask 359) - A Decade as Number One
Hanyu
£1799
| Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) | Hanyu 2000 (bottled 2016) (cask 359) - A Decade as Number One | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Strathisla | Hanyu |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 56.6% |
| Age | 40 yr | NAS |
| Price | £1299 | £1799 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Hanyu 2000 (bottled 2016) (cask 359) - A Decade as Number One
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Hanyu 2000 (bottled 2016) (cask 359) - A Decade as Number One
Quick verdict
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £1299 vs £1799.
For beginners: Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
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
Hanyu 2000 (bottled 2016) (cask 359) - A Decade as Number One
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1799 vs £1299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Strathisla?
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 Hanyu?
Hanyu 2000 (bottled 2016) (cask 359) - A Decade as Number One 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
Only Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Hanyu 2000 (bottled 2016) (cask 359) - A Decade as Number One