Hibiki 12 Year Old vs Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)

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

Hibiki 12 Year OldOld Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)
DistilleryHibikiPulteney
RegionHighland
CountryJapanScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%46%
Age12 yr26 yr
Price£599£399
Rating4.64/55.00/5

Hibiki 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner70/100
Value8/100

Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness52/100
Beginner50/100
Value13/100

Hibiki 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.64).

Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015) is better value at £399 vs £599.

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

Hibiki 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£599 vs £399)
  • Lower community rating (4.6 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£399 vs £599)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki 12 Year Old 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 Old?

Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyToastedFresh Fruit

Only Hibiki 12 Year Old

Vanilla

Only Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage (bottled 2015)

SmokeyCitric

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