Ichiro's Malt 1991 Five of Clubs vs Rock Island 21 Year Old

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

Ichiro's Malt 1991 Five of ClubsRock Island 21 Year Old
DistilleryIchiroRock Island
Region
CountryJapanScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV57.4%46.8%
AgeNAS21 yr
Price£132.95£99.62
Rating4.50/55.00/5

Ichiro's Malt 1991 Five of Clubs

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner35/100
Value34/100

Rock Island 21 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner65/100
Value50/100

Ichiro's Malt 1991 Five of Clubs

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Rock Island 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Rock Island 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).

Rock Island 21 Year Old is better value at £100 vs £133.

For beginners: Rock Island 21 Year Old is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

Ichiro's Malt 1991 Five of Clubs

Pros

  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£132.95 vs £99.62)
  • Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)

Rock Island 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Ichiro's?

Ichiro's Malt 1991 Five of Clubs 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 Rock?

Rock Island 21 Year Old 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

Old Wood

Only Ichiro's Malt 1991 Five of Clubs

ToastedVanillaLeathery

Only Rock Island 21 Year Old

SherriedDried FruitHoneySmokey

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