Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Carsebridge
★ 5.00
£230
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Carsebridge |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 49.1% | 49.9% |
| Age | 23 yr | 40 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £229.57 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £230 vs £292.
For beginners: Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£291.95 vs £229.57)
Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£229.57 vs £291.95)
- +Longer maturation (40 vs 23 years)
Cons
- −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 Carsebridge?
Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.
Tasting notes
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Carsebridge 40 Year Old 1976 (cask 11587) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)