Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014) vs Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014)
Rosebank
★ 4.20
£1499
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Ardbeg
★ 2.71
£1999
| Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014) | Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Rosebank | Ardbeg |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.3% | 55.1% |
| Age | 21 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £1499 | £1999 |
| Rating | 4.20/5 | 2.71/5 |
Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014)
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014)
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Quick verdict
Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014) is rated higher (4.20 vs 2.71).
Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014) is better value at £1499 vs £1999.
For beginners: Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.2/5)
- +More affordable (£1499 vs £1999)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 13 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.3%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1999 vs £1499)
- −Lower community rating (2.7 vs 4.2)
Who should buy Rosebank?
Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014) 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 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 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 Rosebank 21 Year Old 1992 (Special Release 2014)
Only Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011