Glenfarclas 40 Year Old vs St. Magdalene 30 Year Old 1982 - Old & Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)

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

Glenfarclas 40 Year OldSt. Magdalene 30 Year Old 1982 - Old & Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)
DistilleryGlenfarclasSt. Magdalene
RegionSpeysideLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%58.5%
Age40 yr30 yr
Price£1275£1750
Rating5.00/5

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner85/100
Value4/100

St. Magdalene 30 Year Old 1982 - Old & Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

St. Magdalene 30 Year Old 1982 - Old & Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is better value at £1275 vs £1750.

For beginners: Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

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

St. Magdalene 30 Year Old 1982 - Old & Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (58.5%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£1750 vs £1275)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Glenfarclas?

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Who should buy St.?

St. Magdalene 30 Year Old 1982 - Old & Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing) 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

Both taste of

SherriedOld WoodHoneyDried Fruit

Only Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

Chocolate

Only St. Magdalene 30 Year Old 1982 - Old & Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)

Nutty

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