Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky vs Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

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

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside WhiskyHibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III
DistilleryBalvenieHibiki
Region
CountryUnited KingdomJapan
TypeBlended
ABV40%43%
AgeNAS35 yr
Price£19500£19500
Rating4.67/5

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is rated higher (4.67 vs 0.00).

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is better value at £19500 vs £19500.

For beginners: Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.7)

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III 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

Both taste of

Honey

Only Balvenie 1980 / 43 Year Old / House Vintages 2024 Release Speyside Whisky

CitricCooked FruitChocolateNutty

Only Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

VanillaMalt ExtractSherried

Explore more