Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) vs Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Yamazaki
★ 5.00
£7299
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
Karuizawa
£8995
| Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) | Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Yamazaki | Karuizawa |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48% | 57.7% |
| Age | 18 yr | 35 yr |
| Price | £7299 | £8995 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
Quick verdict
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is better value at £7299 vs £8995.
For beginners: Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino
Pros
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 18 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£8995 vs £7299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Yamazaki?
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) 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 Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino 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
Only Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Only Karuizawa 35 Year Old 1981 (cask 6412) - Fazzino