Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling vs Ardbeg 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
Ardbeg 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory
Ardbeg
£1400
| Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | Ardbeg 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Old Rip Van Winkle | Ardbeg |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Bourbon | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.5% | 51.2% |
| Age | 10 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £1500 | £1399.95 |
| Rating | 4.50/5 | — |
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Ardbeg 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Ardbeg 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory
Quick verdict
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is rated higher (4.50 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory is better value at £1400 vs £1500.
For beginners: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.5/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1500 vs £1399.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Ardbeg 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£1399.95 vs £1500)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 10 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.2%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.5)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling 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 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory 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
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Only Ardbeg 23 Year Old 1974 (cask 1068) - Signatory