Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966 vs Karuizawa 1981 (bottled 2013) (cask 6056)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966
Auchentoshan
★ 4.67
£3000
Karuizawa 1981 (bottled 2013) (cask 6056)
Karuizawa
£4999
| Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966 | Karuizawa 1981 (bottled 2013) (cask 6056) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Auchentoshan | Karuizawa |
| Region | Lowland | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40.9% | 60.3% |
| Age | 44 yr | NAS |
| Price | £2999.95 | £4999 |
| Rating | 4.67/5 | — |
Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966
Karuizawa 1981 (bottled 2013) (cask 6056)
Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966
Karuizawa 1981 (bottled 2013) (cask 6056)
Quick verdict
Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966 is rated higher (4.67 vs 0.00).
Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966 is better value at £3000 vs £4999.
For beginners: Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
- +More affordable (£2999.95 vs £4999)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Karuizawa 1981 (bottled 2013) (cask 6056)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (60.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£4999 vs £2999.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.7)
Who should buy Auchentoshan?
Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 1981 (bottled 2013) (cask 6056) 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
Both taste of
Only Auchentoshan 44 Year Old 1966
Only Karuizawa 1981 (bottled 2013) (cask 6056)