Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) vs SMWS No. 25.49 17 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Ardbeg
★ 4.82
£499
SMWS No. 25.49 17 Year Old
Rosebank
£700
| Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) | SMWS No. 25.49 17 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Rosebank |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 56.1% |
| Age | 16 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £499 | £700 |
| Rating | 4.82/5 | — |
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
SMWS No. 25.49 17 Year Old
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
SMWS No. 25.49 17 Year Old
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 £700.
For beginners: Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
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
SMWS No. 25.49 17 Year Old
Pros
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 16 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£700 vs £499)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)
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.
Who should buy SMWS?
SMWS No. 25.49 17 Year Old 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 Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Only SMWS No. 25.49 17 Year Old