Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Tullibardine
£258
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Tullibardine |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 52.6% |
| Age | 23 yr | 29 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £258.36 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) is better value at £258 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)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£291.95 vs £258.36)
Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£258.36 vs £291.95)
- +Longer maturation (29 vs 23 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (52.6%) — 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 Tullibardine?
Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) 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 Tullibardine 29 Year Old 1989 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)