Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts vs Balvenie 30 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Port Ellen
★ 5.00
£2500
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£3193
| Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts | Balvenie 30 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Balvenie |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 60.9% | 44.2% |
| Age | 20 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £2499.95 | £3192.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Quick verdict
Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts is better value at £2500 vs £3193.
For beginners: Balvenie 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£2499.95 vs £3192.95)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (60.9%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 20 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£3192.95 vs £2499.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts 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 Balvenie?
Balvenie 30 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Port Ellen 20 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Only Balvenie 30 Year Old