Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling vs Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Strathisla
★ 5.00
£1299
| Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Old Rip Van Winkle | Strathisla |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Bourbon | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.5% | 43% |
| Age | 10 yr | 40 yr |
| Price | £1500 | £1299 |
| Rating | 4.50/5 | 5.00/5 |
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Quick verdict
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £1299 vs £1500.
For beginners: Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Pros
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1500 vs £1299)
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling 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.
Who should buy Strathisla?
Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail) 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.
Tasting notes
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Only Strathisla 40 Year Old (Gordon & MacPhail)