Bimber The 1st Release vs Hibiki 21 Year Old

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

Bimber The 1st ReleaseHibiki 21 Year Old
DistilleryBimberHibiki
Region
CountryEnglandJapan
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV54.2%43%
AgeNAS21 yr
Price£799£750
Rating5.00/5

Bimber The 1st Release

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner85/100
Value7/100

Bimber The 1st Release

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hibiki 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Hibiki 21 Year Old is better value at £750 vs £799.

For beginners: Hibiki 21 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Bimber The 1st Release

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (54.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£799 vs £750)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Hibiki 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Bimber?

Bimber The 1st Release 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 21 Year Old 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

Dried FruitVanilla

Only Bimber The 1st Release

SherriedCooked Fruit

Only Hibiki 21 Year Old

Honey

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