Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% vs Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
| Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% | Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Ardbeg |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55% | 55.1% |
| Age | NAS | 13 yr |
| Price | £1500 | £1999 |
| Rating | 4.67/5 | 2.71/5 |
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Quick verdict
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% is rated higher (4.67 vs 2.71).
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% is better value at £1500 vs £1999.
For beginners: Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
- +More affordable (£1500 vs £1999)
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1999 vs £1500)
- −Lower community rating (2.7 vs 4.7)
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% 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 Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 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
Only Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Only Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011