Glenfarclas 40 Year Old vs SMWS No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Glenfarclas
★ 5.00
£1275
SMWS No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999)
Brora
£995
| Glenfarclas 40 Year Old | SMWS No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glenfarclas | Brora |
| Region | Speyside | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 58.3% |
| Age | 40 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £1275 | £995 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
SMWS No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999)
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
SMWS No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999)
Quick verdict
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
SMWS No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999) is better value at £995 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 £995)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
SMWS No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£995 vs £1275)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
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 No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999) 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
Only Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Only SMWS No. 61.10 18 Year Old 1981 (Bottled 1999)