Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 vs Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Ardbeg
★ 2.71
£1999
Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two
Rosebank
£1750
| Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 | Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Rosebank |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.1% | 48.1% |
| Age | 13 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £1999 | £1750 |
| Rating | 2.71/5 | — |
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two
Quick verdict
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 is rated higher (2.71 vs 0.00).
Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two is better value at £1750 vs £1999.
For beginners: Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two is more approachable (70/100 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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1999 vs £1750)
Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£1750 vs £1999)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 13 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 2.7)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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 Rosebank?
Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two 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 Rosebank 31 Year Old (bottled 2022) - Release Two