Glenfarclas 40 Year Old vs Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Glenfarclas
★ 5.00
£1275
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Port Ellen
£1200
| Glenfarclas 40 Year Old | Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glenfarclas | Port Ellen |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 57.4% |
| Age | 40 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £1275 | £1200 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Quick verdict
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory is better value at £1200 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 £1200)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£1200 vs £1275)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — 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 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory 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
Only Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Only Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1978 (cask 5339) - Signatory