Hibiki 21 Year Old vs Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac / Cork Stopper / Bot.1972

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

Hibiki 21 Year OldMartell Cordon Bleu Cognac / Cork Stopper / Bot.1972
DistilleryHibikiMartell
Region
CountryJapanUnited Kingdom
TypeBlended
ABV43%40%
Age21 yrNAS
Price£750£800
Rating5.00/5

Hibiki 21 Year Old

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

Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac / Cork Stopper / Bot.1972

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac / Cork Stopper / Bot.1972

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 £800.

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

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

Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac / Cork Stopper / Bot.1972

Pros

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

Cons

  • More expensive (£800 vs £750)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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.

Who should buy Martell?

Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac / Cork Stopper / Bot.1972 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyVanilla

Only Hibiki 21 Year Old

Dried Fruit

Only Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac / Cork Stopper / Bot.1972

Cooked FruitToasted

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