Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling vs Brora 30 Year Old (Special Release 2009)

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

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 BottlingBrora 30 Year Old (Special Release 2009)
DistilleryOld Rip Van WinkleBrora
RegionHighland
CountryAmericaScotland
TypeBourbonSingle Malt
ABV53.5%53.2%
Age10 yr30 yr
Price£1500£2500
Rating4.50/5

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

Smoke0/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value3/100

Brora 30 Year Old (Special Release 2009)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Brora 30 Year Old (Special Release 2009)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is rated higher (4.50 vs 0.00).

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is better value at £1500 vs £2500.

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
  • +Higher community rating (4.5/5)
  • +More affordable (£1500 vs £2500)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Brora 30 Year Old (Special Release 2009)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (30 vs 10 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (53.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£2500 vs £1500)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.5)

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 Brora?

Brora 30 Year Old (Special Release 2009) 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 Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling

VanillaToastedNuttyOily

Only Brora 30 Year Old (Special Release 2009)

SmokeyOld WoodLeathery

Explore more