Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling vs Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory)
Bowmore
★ 5.00
£2381
| Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Old Rip Van Winkle | Bowmore |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Bourbon | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.5% | 49.6% |
| Age | 10 yr | 42 yr |
| Price | £1500 | £2380.52 |
| Rating | 4.50/5 | 5.00/5 |
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory)
Quick verdict
Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is better value at £1500 vs £2381.
For beginners: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£1500 vs £2380.52)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (42 vs 10 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£2380.52 vs £1500)
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.
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Only Bowmore 42 Year Old 1974 (cask 4435) - Cask Strength Collection Rare Reserve (Signatory)