Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Clynelish
£245
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Clynelish |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 54.6% |
| Age | 23 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £245.28 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £245 vs £292.
For beginners: Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
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)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£291.95 vs £245.28)
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£245.28 vs £291.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.6%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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.
Who should buy Clynelish?
Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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 Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Clynelish 21 Year Old 1995 (cask 12014) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)