Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) vs Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Karuizawa
★ 4.62
£27996

Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky
Karuizawa
£40000
| Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) | Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Karuizawa |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Japan | United Kingdom |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 57.7% | 40% |
| Age | 48 yr | NAS |
| Price | £27995.95 | £40000 |
| Rating | 4.62/5 | — |
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky
Quick verdict
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) is rated higher (4.62 vs 0.00).
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) is better value at £27996 vs £40000.
For beginners: Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (4.6/5)
- +More affordable (£27995.95 vs £40000)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£40000 vs £27995.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.6)
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603) 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.
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Karuizawa 48 Year Old 1964 (cask 3603)
Only Karuizawa 50 Year Old / 1965 Vintage Japanese Whisky