Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 vs Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Bruichladdich
★ 5.00
£110
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Balblair
£125
| Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 | Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bruichladdich | Balblair |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.5% | 40.4% |
| Age | 9 yr | 35 yr |
| Price | £109.95 | £124.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas 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 £125.
For beginners: Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (85/100 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 £124.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 9 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£124.95 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 Balblair?
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas 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
Only Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
Only Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)