Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel vs Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Benriach
£290
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
| Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel | Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | Ardbeg |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.2% | 49.1% |
| Age | 24 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £289.52 | £291.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel is better value at £290 vs £292.
For beginners: Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Pros
- +More affordable (£289.52 vs £291.95)
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 23 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.2%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£291.95 vs £289.52)
Who should buy Benriach?
Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel 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 Darkness!?
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Benriach 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7423) Cask Edition - Virgin Oak Barrel
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish