Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation vs Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

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

Girvan 1964 1st Batch DistillationShizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series
DistilleryGirvanShizuoka
RegionLowland
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeGrainSingle Malt
ABV48%50.3%
AgeNASNAS
Price£595£599
Rating5.00/5

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner55/100
Value8/100

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation is better value at £595 vs £599.

For beginners: Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£595 vs £599)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • High ABV (50.3%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£599 vs £595)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Girvan?

Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.

Who should buy Shizuoka?

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series 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

Malt Extract

Only Girvan 1964 1st Batch Distillation

Old WoodVanillaOilyNutty

Only Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

SmokeyToastedFresh Fruit

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