Port Ellen 1979 / 13 Year Old / Douglas Murdoch Islay Whisky vs Hibiki 17 Year Old

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

Port Ellen 1979 / 13 Year Old / Douglas Murdoch Islay WhiskyHibiki 17 Year Old
DistilleryPort EllenHibiki
Region
CountryUnited KingdomJapan
TypeBlended
ABV40%43%
AgeNAS17 yr
Price£950£699
Rating4.75/5

Port Ellen 1979 / 13 Year Old / Douglas Murdoch Islay Whisky

Smoke64/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 17 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner70/100
Value7/100

Port Ellen 1979 / 13 Year Old / Douglas Murdoch Islay Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hibiki 17 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 17 Year Old is rated higher (4.75 vs 0.00).

Hibiki 17 Year Old is better value at £699 vs £950.

For beginners: Hibiki 17 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Port Ellen 1979 / 13 Year Old / Douglas Murdoch Islay Whisky

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£950 vs £699)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.7)

Hibiki 17 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
  • +More affordable (£699 vs £950)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Port?

Port Ellen 1979 / 13 Year Old / Douglas Murdoch Islay Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki 17 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Only Port Ellen 1979 / 13 Year Old / Douglas Murdoch Islay Whisky

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodDried Fruit

Only Hibiki 17 Year Old

HoneyVanillaFragantMalt Extract

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