Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky vs Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Karuizawa
★ 4.50
£250
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£299
| Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky | Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Talisker |
| Region | — | Island |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58.8% | 59.4% |
| Age | 29 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £249.86 | £299 |
| Rating | 4.50/5 | 5.00/5 |
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Quick verdict
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky is better value at £250 vs £299.
For beginners: Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£249.86 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (29 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (58.8%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £249.86)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky 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.
Who should buy Talisker?
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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
Only Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Only Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)