Ardbeg 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 347624) - The Duncan Taylor Single vs BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 347624) - The Duncan Taylor Single
Ardbeg
£321
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish
Benriach
★ 5.00
£299
| Ardbeg 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 347624) - The Duncan Taylor Single | 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 | 51.9% | 55.4% |
| Age | 21 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £320.57 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 347624) - The Duncan Taylor Single
BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish
Ardbeg 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 347624) - The Duncan Taylor Single
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 £321.
For beginners: BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 347624) - The Duncan Taylor Single
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 15 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£320.57 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 £320.57)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.4%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 347624) - The Duncan Taylor Single 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 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 347624) - The Duncan Taylor Single
Only BenRiach 15 Year Old 1999 (cask 9150) - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish