Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory 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 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Port Ellen
£1200
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
| Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 57.4% | 53.5% |
| Age | 23 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £1200 | £1500 |
| Rating | — | 4.50/5 |
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
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 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory is better value at £1200 vs £1500.
For beginners: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£1200 vs £1500)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 10 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −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 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory 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 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling