Bowmore 23 Year Old - No Corners to Hide vs Hibiki 17 Year Old

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

Bowmore 23 Year Old - No Corners to HideHibiki 17 Year Old
DistilleryBowmoreHibiki
Region
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV51.5%43%
Age23 yr17 yr
Price£599£699
Rating4.75/5

Bowmore 23 Year Old - No Corners to Hide

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 17 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner70/100
Value7/100

Bowmore 23 Year Old - No Corners to Hide

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hibiki 17 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 17 Year Old is rated higher (4.75 vs 0.00).

Bowmore 23 Year Old - No Corners to Hide is better value at £599 vs £699.

For beginners: Hibiki 17 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Bowmore 23 Year Old - No Corners to Hide

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£599 vs £699)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 17 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.7)

Hibiki 17 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£699 vs £599)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Bowmore?

Bowmore 23 Year Old - No Corners to Hide 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 Hibiki?

Hibiki 17 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Only Bowmore 23 Year Old - No Corners to Hide

SmokeyOld WoodSherriedDried FruitLeathery

Only Hibiki 17 Year Old

HoneyVanillaFragantMalt Extract

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