Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Port Ellen
£600

Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna
Rosebank
★ 5.00
£399
| Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Rosebank |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50% | 43% |
| Age | 23 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £600 | £399 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna
Quick verdict
Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna is better value at £399 vs £600.
For beginners: Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£600 vs £399)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£399 vs £600)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Rosebank?
Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.
Tasting notes
Only Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Only Rosebank 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna