Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release vs Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky

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

Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial ReleaseKaruizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky
DistilleryBladnochKaruizawa
RegionLowland
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV41.2%63.9%
Age29 yr23 yr
Price£4995£5999
Rating5.00/5

Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner85/100
Value1/100

Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release is better value at £4995 vs £5999.

For beginners: Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release

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

Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (63.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£5999 vs £4995)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Bladnoch?

Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release 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.

Who should buy Karuizawa?

Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky 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

SherriedOld WoodChocolate

Only Bladnoch 29 Year Old - Bicentennial Release

Cooked FruitHoney

Only Karuizawa 23 Year Old 1989 (cask 7893) - Noh Whisky

Dried FruitNutty

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