Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
The Glenlivet
£316
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | The Glenlivet |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 47.7% |
| Age | 23 yr | 33 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £315.84 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
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 £316.
For beginners: Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) is more approachable (70/100 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 £315.84)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (33 vs 23 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£315.84 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 Glenlivet?
Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Glenlivet 33 Year Old 1977 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)