Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) vs Karuizawa 28 Year Old 1983 (cask 7576) - Noh Whisky

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

Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)Karuizawa 28 Year Old 1983 (cask 7576) - Noh Whisky
DistilleryYamazakiKaruizawa
Region
CountryJapanJapan
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV48%57.2%
Age18 yr28 yr
Price£7299£7995
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness88/100
Beginner70/100
Value1/100

Karuizawa 28 Year Old 1983 (cask 7576) - Noh Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner35/100
Value1/100

Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Karuizawa 28 Year Old 1983 (cask 7576) - Noh Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is better value at £7299 vs £7995.

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
  • +More affordable (£7299 vs £7995)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Karuizawa 28 Year Old 1983 (cask 7576) - Noh Whisky

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (28 vs 18 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (57.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£7995 vs £7299)

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 28 Year Old 1983 (cask 7576) - Noh Whisky 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

Old Wood

Only Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)

VanillaHoney

Only Karuizawa 28 Year Old 1983 (cask 7576) - Noh Whisky

SherriedDried FruitChocolateLeathery

Explore more