Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Pittyvaich 18 Year Old 1976 (cask 15084) (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Pittyvaich 18 Year Old 1976 (cask 15084) (Master of Malt)
Pittyvaich
£399
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Pittyvaich 18 Year Old 1976 (cask 15084) (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Pittyvaich |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 53.3% |
| Age | 23 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £399 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Pittyvaich 18 Year Old 1976 (cask 15084) (Master of Malt)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Pittyvaich 18 Year Old 1976 (cask 15084) (Master of Malt)
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 £399.
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)
- +More affordable (£291.95 vs £399)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Pittyvaich 18 Year Old 1976 (cask 15084) (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£399 vs £291.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 Pittyvaich?
Pittyvaich 18 Year Old 1976 (cask 15084) (Master of Malt) 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 Pittyvaich 18 Year Old 1976 (cask 15084) (Master of Malt)