Glenfarclas 40 Year Old vs SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Glenfarclas
★ 5.00
£1275
SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey
Cooley
£1250
| Glenfarclas 40 Year Old | SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glenfarclas | Cooley |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | United Kingdom |
| Type | Single Malt | Irish |
| ABV | 43% | 40% |
| Age | 40 yr | NAS |
| Price | £1275 | £1250 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey
Quick verdict
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey is better value at £1250 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 £1250)
SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey
Pros
- +More affordable (£1250 vs £1275)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −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 SMWS?
SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Irish character.
Tasting notes
Only Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Only SMWS 117.1 (Cooley) / 1989 / 12 Year Old Irish Malt Whiskey