Glenfarclas 40 Year Old vs Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Glenfarclas
★ 5.00
£1275

Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Tamdhu
£939
| Glenfarclas 40 Year Old | Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glenfarclas | Tamdhu |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 54.8% |
| Age | 40 yr | 34 yr |
| Price | £1275 | £938.5 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Quick verdict
Glenfarclas 40 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £939 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 £938.5)
Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +More affordable (£938.5 vs £1275)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (54.8%) — 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 Tamdhu?
Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 Tamdhu 34 Year Old 1989 (cask 12881) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)