Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series vs Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series
Port Ellen
★ 5.00
£6999
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Yamazaki
★ 5.00
£7299
| Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series | Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Yamazaki |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.9% | 48% |
| Age | 40 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £6999 | £7299 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Quick verdict
Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series is better value at £6999 vs £7299.
For beginners: Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£6999 vs £7299)
- +Longer maturation (40 vs 18 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (50.9%) — may need water
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£7299 vs £6999)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series 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 Yamazaki?
Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Port Ellen 40 Year Old - Untold Stories Series
Only Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old (2017 Edition)