Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Longrow 17 Year Old - Online Tasting Week May 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292

Longrow 17 Year Old - Online Tasting Week May 2021
Springbank
£350
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Longrow 17 Year Old - Online Tasting Week May 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Springbank |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 50.5% |
| Age | 23 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £350 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Longrow 17 Year Old - Online Tasting Week May 2021
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Longrow 17 Year Old - Online Tasting Week May 2021
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 £350.
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 £350)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Longrow 17 Year Old - Online Tasting Week May 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£350 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 Longrow?
Longrow 17 Year Old - Online Tasting Week May 2021 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 Longrow 17 Year Old - Online Tasting Week May 2021