Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) vs Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Hunter Laing
£2026
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Ardbeg
★ 2.71
£1999
| Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) | Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Hunter Laing | Ardbeg |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 47% | 55.1% |
| Age | 50 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £2025.5 | £1999 |
| Rating | — | 2.71/5 |
Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Quick verdict
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 is rated higher (2.71 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 is better value at £1999 vs £2026.
For beginners: Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (50 vs 13 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£2025.5 vs £1999)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 2.7)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (2.7/5)
- +More affordable (£1999 vs £2025.5)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — may need water
Who should buy Probably?
Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
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 Probably Speyside's Finest 50 Year Old - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Only Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011