Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% vs William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Karuizawa
★ 4.67
£1500
William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017
WL Weller
£2400
| Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% | William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | WL Weller |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | United Kingdom |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 55% | 40% |
| Age | NAS | NAS |
| Price | £1500 | £2400 |
| Rating | 4.67/5 | — |
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017
Quick verdict
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% is rated higher (4.67 vs 0.00).
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% is better value at £1500 vs £2400.
For beginners: William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017 is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
- +More affordable (£1500 vs £2400)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£2400 vs £1500)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 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 William?
William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017 is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Tasting notes
Only Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Only William Larue Weller Bourbon 2005 / Bot.2017