Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing) 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 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)
Port Ellen
£1200
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
| Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing) | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 46% | 53.5% |
| Age | 25 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £1200 | £1500 |
| Rating | — | 4.50/5 |
Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Quick verdict
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is rated higher (4.50 vs 0.00).
Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing) is better value at £1200 vs £1500.
For beginners: Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£1200 vs £1500)
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 10 years)
Cons
- −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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1500 vs £1200)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
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 25 Year Old 1982 (casks 4452 & 4453) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling