Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III vs Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III
Hibiki
★ 4.67
£19500
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Karuizawa
★ 4.62
£27996
| Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III | Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Hibiki | Karuizawa |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 57.7% |
| Age | 35 yr | 48 yr |
| Price | £19500 | £27995.95 |
| Rating | 4.67/5 | 4.62/5 |
Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Quick verdict
Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is rated higher (4.67 vs 4.62).
Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is better value at £19500 vs £27996.
For beginners: Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (4.7/5)
- +More affordable (£19500 vs £27995.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (48 vs 35 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£27995.95 vs £19500)
- −Lower community rating (4.6 vs 4.7)
Who should buy Hibiki?
Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III 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 Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) 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
Only Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III
Only Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)