Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% vs Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 4586) - Moscatel Barrel (Fèis Ìle 2019)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Karuizawa
★ 4.67
£1500
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 4586) - Moscatel Barrel (Fèis Ìle 2019)
Ardbeg
£1800
| Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% | Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 4586) - Moscatel Barrel (Fèis Ìle 2019) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Ardbeg |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55% | 52.5% |
| Age | NAS | 13 yr |
| Price | £1500 | £1800 |
| Rating | 4.67/5 | — |
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 4586) - Moscatel Barrel (Fèis Ìle 2019)
Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 4586) - Moscatel Barrel (Fèis Ìle 2019)
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 £1800.
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 £1800)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 4586) - Moscatel Barrel (Fèis Ìle 2019)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1800 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 Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 4586) - Moscatel Barrel (Fèis Ìle 2019) 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 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 4586) - Moscatel Barrel (Fèis Ìle 2019)