Glenfarclas 30 Year Old vs Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1981 - North Star Spirits

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

Glenfarclas 30 Year OldGlenlivet 38 Year Old 1981 - North Star Spirits
DistilleryGlenfarclasThe Glenlivet
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%49.1%
Age30 yr38 yr
Price£632.95£495
Rating5.00/5

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value8/100

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1981 - North Star Spirits

Smoke0/100
Sweetness85/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1981 - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1981 - North Star Spirits is better value at £495 vs £633.

For beginners: Glenfarclas 30 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£632.95 vs £495)

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1981 - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£495 vs £632.95)
  • +Longer maturation (38 vs 30 years)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Glenfarclas?

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Glenlivet?

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1981 - North Star Spirits suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

SherriedDried FruitChocolateTobacco

Only Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1981 - North Star Spirits

Honey

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