Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts vs Johnnie Walker Premier

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

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of HeartsJohnnie Walker Premier
DistilleryIchiroJohnnie Walker
RegionOther Scotch
CountryJapanScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV55.4%43%
AgeNASNAS
Price£202.71£199
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner50/100
Value25/100

Johnnie Walker Premier

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value25/100

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Johnnie Walker Premier

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Johnnie Walker Premier is better value at £199 vs £203.

For beginners: Johnnie Walker Premier is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£202.71 vs £199)

Johnnie Walker Premier

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£199 vs £202.71)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Ichiro's?

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts 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 Johnnie?

Johnnie Walker Premier suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedDried FruitOld WoodChocolate

Only Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

Honey

Only Johnnie Walker Premier

Tobacco

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