Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish vs Aberlour 18 Year Old (50cl)

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

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask FinishAberlour 18 Year Old (50cl)
DistilleryDarknessAberlour
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV61.3%43%
Age8 yr18 yr
Price£71.95£110.3
Rating5.00/53.10/5

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

Smoke64/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner30/100
Value69/100

Aberlour 18 Year Old (50cl)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner85/100
Value28/100

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Aberlour 18 Year Old (50cl)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.10).

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £72 vs £110.

For beginners: Aberlour 18 Year Old (50cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£71.95 vs £110.3)

Cons

  • High ABV (61.3%) — may need water

Aberlour 18 Year Old (50cl)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (18 vs 8 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£110.3 vs £71.95)
  • Lower community rating (3.1 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Darkness!?

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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.

Who should buy Aberlour?

Aberlour 18 Year Old (50cl) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedDried FruitChocolate

Only Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

Smokey

Only Aberlour 18 Year Old (50cl)

HoneyOld Wood

Where to buy

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

Aberlour 18 Year Old (50cl)

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