Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky vs Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky
Karuizawa
£10500

Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Yamazaki
★ 5.00
£7299
| Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky | Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Yamazaki |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | United Kingdom | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 48% |
| Age | NAS | 18 yr |
| Price | £10500 | £7299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Quick verdict
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is better value at £7299 vs £10500.
For beginners: Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£10500 vs £7299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.
Who should buy Yamazaki?
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Karuizawa 1980 / The Golden Samurai / Sherry Cask / Bot.2015 Japanese Whisky
Only Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)