Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Mortlach
£241
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Mortlach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 50.1% |
| Age | 23 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £240.5 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks) is better value at £241 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 20 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£291.95 vs £240.5)
Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)
Pros
- +More affordable (£240.5 vs £291.95)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (50.1%) — 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 Mortlach?
Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks) 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
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Mortlach 20 Year Old 2005 - Decadent Drams (Decadent Drinks)