Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts vs Johnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s

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

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of HeartsJohnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s
DistilleryIchiroJohnnie Walker
RegionOther Scotch
CountryJapanScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV55.4%40%
AgeNASNAS
Price£202.71£199
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner50/100
Value25/100

Johnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value25/100

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Johnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Johnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s is better value at £199 vs £203.

For beginners: Johnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£202.71 vs £199)

Johnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£199 vs £202.71)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Ichiro's?

Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Who should buy Johnnie?

Johnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Honey

Only Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

SherriedDried FruitOld WoodChocolate

Only Johnnie Walker Black Label Extra Special - 1970s

VanillaToastedMalt Extract

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