Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III vs Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

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

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi IIIMidleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition
DistilleryHibikiMidleton
Region
CountryJapanIreland
TypeBlendedBlended
ABV43%53.1%
Age35 yrNAS
Price£19500£17700
Rating4.67/5

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III is rated higher (4.67 vs 0.00).

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition is better value at £17700 vs £19500.

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 widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£19500 vs £17700)

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

Pros

  • +More affordable (£17700 vs £19500)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (53.1%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 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 Midleton?

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition 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

VanillaSherried

Only Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

HoneyMalt Extract

Only Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

ChocolateDried FruitToasted

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