Benromach 40 Year Old 1978 vs Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

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

Benromach 40 Year Old 1978Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
DistilleryBenromachGlenfarclas
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.3%43%
Age40 yr40 yr
Price£1142.95£1275
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Benromach 40 Year Old 1978

Smoke64/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner25/100
Value4/100

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner85/100
Value4/100

Benromach 40 Year Old 1978

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Benromach 40 Year Old 1978 is better value at £1143 vs £1275.

For beginners: Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Benromach 40 Year Old 1978

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£1142.95 vs £1275)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.3%) — may need water

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£1275 vs £1142.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Benromach?

Benromach 40 Year Old 1978 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 Glenfarclas?

Glenfarclas 40 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

SherriedOld WoodDried Fruit

Only Benromach 40 Year Old 1978

SmokeyToasted

Only Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

HoneyChocolate

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