Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) vs Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Littlemill
£799
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Ardbeg
★ 4.82
£499
| Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) | Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Littlemill | Ardbeg |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.5% | 46% |
| Age | 26 yr | 16 yr |
| Price | £799 | £499 |
| Rating | — | 4.82/5 |
Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Quick verdict
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is rated higher (4.82 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is better value at £499 vs £799.
For beginners: Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 16 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£799 vs £499)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Littlemill?
Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) 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 Ardbeg?
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Only Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Only Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)