Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III vs Balvenie 1951 / 45 Year Old / Cask #1236 Speyside Whisky

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

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi IIIBalvenie 1951 / 45 Year Old / Cask #1236 Speyside Whisky
DistilleryHibikiBalvenie
Region
CountryJapanUnited Kingdom
TypeBlended
ABV43%40%
Age35 yrNAS
Price£19500£30000
Rating4.67/5

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Balvenie 1951 / 45 Year Old / Cask #1236 Speyside Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie 1951 / 45 Year Old / Cask #1236 Speyside Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is rated higher (4.67 vs 0.00).

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is better value at £19500 vs £30000.

For beginners: Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
  • +More affordable (£19500 vs £30000)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Balvenie 1951 / 45 Year Old / Cask #1236 Speyside Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£30000 vs £19500)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.7)

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III 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 Balvenie?

Balvenie 1951 / 45 Year Old / Cask #1236 Speyside Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Sherried

Only Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

HoneyVanillaMalt Extract

Only Balvenie 1951 / 45 Year Old / Cask #1236 Speyside Whisky

Old WoodNutty

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