Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III vs Yamazaki 1986 / Vintage Malt / Bot.2005 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

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

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi IIIYamazaki 1986 / Vintage Malt / Bot.2005 Japanese Single Malt Whisky
DistilleryHibikiYamazaki
Region
CountryJapanUnited Kingdom
TypeBlended
ABV43%40%
Age35 yrNAS
Price£19500£15000
Rating4.67/5

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

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

Yamazaki 1986 / Vintage Malt / Bot.2005 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Smoke64/100
Sweetness35/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Yamazaki 1986 / Vintage Malt / Bot.2005 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Yamazaki 1986 / Vintage Malt / Bot.2005 Japanese Single Malt Whisky is better value at £15000 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 £15000)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Yamazaki 1986 / Vintage Malt / Bot.2005 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£15000 vs £19500)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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 Yamazaki?

Yamazaki 1986 / Vintage Malt / Bot.2005 Japanese Single Malt Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Only Hibiki 35 Year Old by Tokuda Yasokichi III

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractSherried

Only Yamazaki 1986 / Vintage Malt / Bot.2005 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

SmokeyToastedFresh Fruit

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