Port Ellen 22 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

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

Port Ellen 22 Year Old 1978 - Rare MaltsOld Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
DistilleryPort EllenOld Rip Van Winkle
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandAmerica
TypeSingle MaltBourbon
ABV60.5%53.5%
Age22 yr10 yr
Price£1999.95£1500
Rating4.50/5

Port Ellen 22 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value0/100

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

Smoke0/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value3/100

Port Ellen 22 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is rated higher (4.50 vs 0.00).

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is better value at £1500 vs £2000.

For beginners: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).

Port Ellen 22 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (22 vs 10 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (60.5%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£1999.95 vs £1500)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.5)

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.5/5)
  • +More affordable (£1500 vs £1999.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Port?

Port Ellen 22 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts 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 Old?

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling 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 Port Ellen 22 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodMedicinal

Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

VanillaToastedNuttyOily

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