Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Highland Park 18 Year Old 2002 (cask 4627) Single Cask Series - London Edition No.1
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2002 (cask 4627) Single Cask Series - London Edition No.1
Highland Park
£380
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Highland Park 18 Year Old 2002 (cask 4627) Single Cask Series - London Edition No.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Highland Park |
| Region | Islay | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 58.8% |
| Age | 23 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £380 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2002 (cask 4627) Single Cask Series - London Edition No.1
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2002 (cask 4627) Single Cask Series - London Edition No.1
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: 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 £380)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2002 (cask 4627) Single Cask Series - London Edition No.1
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£380 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 Highland?
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2002 (cask 4627) Single Cask Series - London Edition No.1 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 Highland Park 18 Year Old 2002 (cask 4627) Single Cask Series - London Edition No.1