Ardbeg 21 Year Old vs Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£599
Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky
Imperial
£500
| Ardbeg 21 Year Old | Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Imperial |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | United Kingdom |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 46% | 40% |
| Age | 21 yr | NAS |
| Price | £599 | £500 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky
Quick verdict
Ardbeg 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky is better value at £500 vs £599.
For beginners: Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£599 vs £500)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£500 vs £599)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 21 Year Old 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 Imperial?
Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.
Tasting notes
Only Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Only Imperial 1979 / Bot.1995 / Gordon & Macphail Speyside Whisky