Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve vs Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

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

Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood ReserveLedaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistilleryHanyuTobermory
RegionIsland
CountryJapanScotland
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV46.5%51.7%
AgeNAS18 yr
Price£102.95£89.95
Rating4.00/55.00/5

Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve

Smoke0/100
Sweetness67/100
Beginner70/100
Value39/100

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value56/100

Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £90 vs £103.

For beginners: Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£102.95 vs £89.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£89.95 vs £102.95)

Cons

  • High ABV (51.7%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Ichiro's?

Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve 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 Ledaig?

Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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

Only Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve

Dried FruitSherriedOld WoodVanilla

Only Ledaig 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokeyLeatheryMedicinalOily

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