Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Redbreast 21 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Redbreast 21 Year Old
Redbreast
★ 4.55
£248
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Redbreast 21 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Redbreast |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Ireland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Pot Still |
| ABV | 49.1% | 46% |
| Age | 23 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £248 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.55/5 |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Redbreast 21 Year Old
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Redbreast 21 Year Old
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.55).
Redbreast 21 Year Old is better value at £248 vs £292.
For beginners: Redbreast 21 Year Old is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£291.95 vs £248)
Redbreast 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£248 vs £291.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.6 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 Redbreast?
Redbreast 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Pot Still character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Redbreast 21 Year Old