Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) vs Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Karuizawa
★ 4.62
£27996

Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three
Midleton
★ 4.00
£35001
| Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) | Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Midleton |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | Ireland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Pot Still |
| ABV | 57.7% | 55.7% |
| Age | 48 yr | 47 yr |
| Price | £27995.95 | £35000.5 |
| Rating | 4.62/5 | 4.00/5 |
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three
Quick verdict
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) is rated higher (4.62 vs 4.00).
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) is better value at £27996 vs £35001.
For beginners: Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (4.6/5)
- +More affordable (£27995.95 vs £35000.5)
- +Longer maturation (48 vs 47 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
Cons
- −High ABV (55.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£35000.5 vs £27995.95)
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 4.6)
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) 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.
Who should buy Midleton?
Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Only Midleton 47 Year Old - Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three