Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014 vs Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

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

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series
DistilleryGlenfiddichShizuoka
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%50.3%
Age30 yrNAS
Price£799£599
Rating5.00/5

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner85/100
Value6/100

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series is better value at £599 vs £799.

For beginners: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014 is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014

Pros

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

Cons

  • More expensive (£799 vs £599)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£599 vs £799)

Cons

  • High ABV (50.3%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Glenfiddich?

Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014 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 Shizuoka?

Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series 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

Only Glenfiddich 30 Year Old - Pre 2014

SherriedVanillaHoneyOld WoodDried Fruit

Only Shizuoka 2018 (bottled 2022) Ex-Bourbon Cask (cask 2018-323) - World Symphony Series

SmokeyToastedFresh FruitMalt Extract

Explore more