Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon Cask Finish
Benriach
£410
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Benriach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 44.2% |
| Age | 23 yr | 37 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £410 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon Cask Finish
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon 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 £410.
For beginners: BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon Cask Finish is more approachable (60/100 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)
- +More affordable (£291.95 vs £410)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon Cask Finish
Pros
- +Longer maturation (37 vs 23 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£410 vs £291.95)
- −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 BenRiach?
BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon Cask Finish suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only BenRiach 37 Year Old 1976 (cask 529) Bourbon Cask Finish