Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 (cask 17544) - Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary (Douglas Laing) vs Balvenie 30 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 (cask 17544) - Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary (Douglas Laing)
Port Ellen
£3900
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£3193
| Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 (cask 17544) - Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary (Douglas Laing) | Balvenie 30 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Balvenie |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 59.1% | 44.2% |
| Age | 40 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £3900 | £3192.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 (cask 17544) - Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary (Douglas Laing)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 (cask 17544) - Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary (Douglas Laing)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Quick verdict
Balvenie 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 30 Year Old is better value at £3193 vs £3900.
For beginners: Balvenie 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 (cask 17544) - Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (40 vs 30 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (59.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£3900 vs £3192.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 40 Year Old 1982 (cask 17544) - Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary (Douglas Laing) 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 40 Year Old 1982 (cask 17544) - Xtra Old Particular 75th Anniversary (Douglas Laing)
Only Balvenie 30 Year Old