Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 vs Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Bruichladdich
★ 5.00
£110
Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Dumbarton
£115
| Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 | Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bruichladdich | Dumbarton |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 54.5% | 43.5% |
| Age | 9 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £109.95 | £114.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Quick verdict
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 is better value at £110 vs £115.
For beginners: Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
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 £114.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 9 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£114.95 vs £109.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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.
Who should buy Dumbarton?
Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) 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 Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Only Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15801) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)