Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1978 - 10th Release (Special Release 2010) vs Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1978 - 10th Release (Special Release 2010)
Port Ellen
£280
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Rosebank
★ 5.00
£174
| Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1978 - 10th Release (Special Release 2010) | Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Rosebank |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.6% | 61.4% |
| Age | 31 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £280.15 | £173.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1978 - 10th Release (Special Release 2010)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1978 - 10th Release (Special Release 2010)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Quick verdict
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is better value at £174 vs £280.
For beginners: Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1978 - 10th Release (Special Release 2010)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 25 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (54.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£280.15 vs £173.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£173.95 vs £280.15)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (61.4%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1978 - 10th Release (Special Release 2010) 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 Rosebank?
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) 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 Port Ellen 31 Year Old 1978 - 10th Release (Special Release 2010)
Only Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)