Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Linlithgow 25 Year Old 1982 (cask 2220) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask FinishLinlithgow 25 Year Old 1982 (cask 2220) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
DistilleryArdbegSt. Magdalene
RegionIslayLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV49.1%61.8%
Age23 yr25 yr
Price£291.95£276.4
Rating5.00/5

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner45/100
Value17/100

Linlithgow 25 Year Old 1982 (cask 2220) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Linlithgow 25 Year Old 1982 (cask 2220) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Linlithgow 25 Year Old 1982 (cask 2220) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) is better value at £276 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 £276.4)

Linlithgow 25 Year Old 1982 (cask 2220) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£276.4 vs £291.95)
  • +Longer maturation (25 vs 23 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (61.8%) — 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 Linlithgow?

Linlithgow 25 Year Old 1982 (cask 2220) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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

SherriedLeatheryOld Wood

Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

SmokeyCooked Fruit

Only Linlithgow 25 Year Old 1982 (cask 2220) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)

Dried FruitTobacco

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