Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice vs BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg
£390
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish
Benriach
★ 5.00
£299
| Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice | BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Benriach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.9% | 55.4% |
| Age | 24 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £389.54 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish
Quick verdict
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish is better value at £299 vs £390.
For beginners: BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 15 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£389.54 vs £299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£299 vs £389.54)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.4%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice 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 BenRiach?
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Ardbeg 1993 (cask 1290) (bottled 2017) - Mackillop's Choice
Only BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish