Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon vs Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon
Royal Salute
★ 4.38
£116
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Bruichladdich
★ 5.00
£110
| Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon | Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Royal Salute | Bruichladdich |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 54.5% |
| Age | 21 yr | 9 yr |
| Price | £116 | £109.95 |
| Rating | 4.38/5 | 5.00/5 |
Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Quick verdict
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.38).
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 is better value at £110 vs £116.
For beginners: Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 9 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£116 vs £109.95)
- −Lower community rating (4.4 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£109.95 vs £116)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
Who should buy Royal?
Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon 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 Port?
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 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 Royal Salute 21 Year Old - Ruby Flagon
Only Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01