Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 vs Rosebank 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Ardbeg
★ 2.71
£1999
Rosebank 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three
Rosebank
£1749
| Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 | Rosebank 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Rosebank |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.1% | 47.6% |
| Age | 13 yr | 32 yr |
| Price | £1999 | £1748.5 |
| Rating | 2.71/5 | — |
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Rosebank 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Rosebank 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three
Quick verdict
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 is rated higher (2.71 vs 0.00).
Rosebank 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three is better value at £1749 vs £1999.
For beginners: Rosebank 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three 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 £1748.5)
Rosebank 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£1748.5 vs £1999)
- +Longer maturation (32 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 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three 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 32 Year Old (bottled 2023) - Release Three