Hibiki 12 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu vs Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%

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

Hibiki 12 Year Old - Kacho FugetsuKaruizawa Spirit of Asama 55%
DistilleryHibikiKaruizawa
Region
CountryJapanJapan
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%55%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£2200£1500
Rating4.67/5

Hibiki 12 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%

Smoke0/100
Sweetness49/100
Beginner45/100
Value3/100

Hibiki 12 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% is rated higher (4.67 vs 0.00).

Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% is better value at £1500 vs £2200.

For beginners: Hibiki 12 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Hibiki 12 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£2200 vs £1500)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.7)

Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
  • +More affordable (£1500 vs £2200)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55%) — may need water

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki 12 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Who should buy Karuizawa?

Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55% 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

HoneyToasted

Only Hibiki 12 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu

VanillaFresh Fruit

Only Karuizawa Spirit of Asama 55%

Malt ExtractNuttyOld Wood

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