Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Benromach 24 Year Old 1980 (bottled 2004) Cask Strength
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Benromach 24 Year Old 1980 (bottled 2004) Cask Strength
Benromach
£299
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Benromach 24 Year Old 1980 (bottled 2004) Cask Strength | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Benromach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 58.6% |
| Age | 23 yr | 24 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £299 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Benromach 24 Year Old 1980 (bottled 2004) Cask Strength
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Benromach 24 Year Old 1980 (bottled 2004) Cask Strength
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 £299.
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 £299)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Benromach 24 Year Old 1980 (bottled 2004) Cask Strength
Pros
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 23 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (58.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 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 Benromach?
Benromach 24 Year Old 1980 (bottled 2004) Cask Strength 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 Benromach 24 Year Old 1980 (bottled 2004) Cask Strength