Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Ben Nevis 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292

Ben Nevis 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Ben Nevis
£380
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Ben Nevis 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Ben Nevis |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 47.8% |
| Age | 23 yr | 26 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £379.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ben Nevis 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ben Nevis 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
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 £380.
For beginners: Ben Nevis 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is more approachable (55/100 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 £379.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Ben Nevis 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 23 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£379.95 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 Ben?
Ben Nevis 26 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 Highland character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Ben Nevis 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)