Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III vs Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

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

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi IIIBalvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky
DistilleryHibikiBalvenie
Region
CountryJapanUnited Kingdom
TypeBlended
ABV43%40%
Age35 yrNAS
Price£19500£19500
Rating4.67/5

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

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

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky is better value at £19500 vs £19500.

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 widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release 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

Honey

Only Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

VanillaMalt ExtractSherried

Only Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

CitricCooked FruitChocolateNutty

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