Cutty Sark Centenary Edition vs Hibiki 21 Year Old

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

Cutty Sark Centenary EditionHibiki 21 Year Old
DistilleryCutty SarkHibiki
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeBlendedBlended
ABV52.2%43%
AgeNAS21 yr
Price£910£750
Rating5.00/5

Cutty Sark Centenary Edition

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 21 Year Old

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

Cutty Sark Centenary Edition

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 £910.

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

Cutty Sark Centenary Edition

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (52.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£910 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 Cutty?

Cutty Sark Centenary Edition 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 Fruit

Only Cutty Sark Centenary Edition

SherriedOld WoodToasted

Only Hibiki 21 Year Old

HoneyVanilla

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