Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 vs Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Ardbeg
★ 2.71
£1999
Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor)
Kinclaith
£2000
| Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 | Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Kinclaith |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.1% | 50.1% |
| Age | 13 yr | 36 yr |
| Price | £1999 | £2000 |
| Rating | 2.71/5 | — |
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor)
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor)
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 £2000.
For beginners: Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
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 £2000)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — may need water
Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (36 vs 13 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£2000 vs £1999)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 2.7)
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.
Who should buy Kinclaith?
Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor) 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
Only Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Only Kinclaith 36 Year Old 1969 (cask 301456) - Rarest of the Rare (Duncan Taylor)