Ardbeg 1978 vs Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 1978
Ardbeg
★ 4.00
£999
Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary
Nikka
£999
| Ardbeg 1978 | Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Nikka |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 48% |
| Age | 20 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £999 | £999 |
| Rating | 4.00/5 | — |
Ardbeg 1978
Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary
Ardbeg 1978
Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary
Quick verdict
Ardbeg 1978 is rated higher (4.00 vs 0.00).
Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary is better value at £999 vs £999.
For beginners: Ardbeg 1978 is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 1978
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary
Pros
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 20 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 1978 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Taketsuru?
Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Ardbeg 1978
Only Taketsuru 21 Year Old (bottled 2014) - Non-Chill Filtered 80th Anniversary