Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) vs Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Imperial
£400

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
| Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Imperial | Ardbeg |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46.5% | 49.1% |
| Age | 25 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £399.95 | £291.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is better value at £292 vs £400.
For beginners: Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 23 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£399.95 vs £291.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£291.95 vs £399.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Imperial?
Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Who should buy Darkness!?
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Imperial 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish