Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

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

Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho FugetsuOld Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
DistilleryHibikiOld Rip Van Winkle
Region
CountryJapanAmerica
TypeBlendedBourbon
ABV43%53.5%
Age21 yr10 yr
Price£1200£1500
Rating5.00/54.50/5

Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu

Smoke0/100
Sweetness54/100
Beginner70/100
Value4/100

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

Smoke0/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value3/100

Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).

Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu is better value at £1200 vs £1500.

For beginners: Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£1200 vs £1500)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

Pros

  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£1500 vs £1200)
  • Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Hibiki?

Hibiki 21 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 Old?

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling 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 Hibiki 21 Year Old - Kacho Fugetsu

HoneySherriedFragantMalt ExtractOld Wood

Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

VanillaToastedNuttyOily

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