Glenfarclas 40 Year Old vs Port Ellen 1983 (bottled 2016) (cask 16055) - Malts of Scotland

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

Glenfarclas 40 Year OldPort Ellen 1983 (bottled 2016) (cask 16055) - Malts of Scotland
DistilleryGlenfarclasPort Ellen
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%57.1%
Age40 yr33 yr
Price£1275£1195
Rating5.00/5

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

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

Port Ellen 1983 (bottled 2016) (cask 16055) - Malts of Scotland

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Port Ellen 1983 (bottled 2016) (cask 16055) - Malts of Scotland

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Port Ellen 1983 (bottled 2016) (cask 16055) - Malts of Scotland is better value at £1195 vs £1275.

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

Glenfarclas 40 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

  • More expensive (£1275 vs £1195)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Port Ellen 1983 (bottled 2016) (cask 16055) - Malts of Scotland

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£1195 vs £1275)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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.

Who should buy Port?

Port Ellen 1983 (bottled 2016) (cask 16055) - Malts of Scotland 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old WoodDried Fruit

Only Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

SherriedHoneyChocolate

Only Port Ellen 1983 (bottled 2016) (cask 16055) - Malts of Scotland

SmokeyMedicinal

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