Midleton Very Rare 1997 vs Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Midleton Very Rare 1997Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistilleryMidletonArdbeg
RegionIslay
CountryIrelandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%48.1%
AgeNAS24 yr
Price£999£724.95
Rating5.00/5

Midleton Very Rare 1997

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner40/100
Value7/100

Midleton Very Rare 1997

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £725 vs £999.

For beginners: Midleton Very Rare 1997 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Midleton Very Rare 1997

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£999 vs £724.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£724.95 vs £999)

Cons

  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Midleton?

Midleton Very Rare 1997 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Who should buy Ardbeg?

Ardbeg 24 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 Islay character.

Tasting notes

Only Midleton Very Rare 1997

VanillaHoneyMalt ExtractToastedNew Wood

Only Ardbeg 24 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokeyOilyMedicinal

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