Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

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

Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Clynelish
★ 5.00
£380
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Clynelish |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 47.1% |
| Age | 23 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £379.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is better value at £292 vs £380.
For beginners: Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£291.95 vs £379.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 23 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£379.95 vs £291.95)
- −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 Clynelish?
Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Clynelish 25 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)