Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Benriach
£290
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Benriach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 53.2% |
| Age | 23 yr | 24 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £289.52 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel is better value at £290 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 £289.52)
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Pros
- +More affordable (£289.52 vs £291.95)
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 23 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.2%) — 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 Benriach?
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel 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 Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel