Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi) vs Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi)
Bladnoch
£256
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
| Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi) | Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bladnoch | Ardbeg |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 62.4% | 49.1% |
| Age | 26 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £256.45 | £291.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi)
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).
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi) is better value at £256 vs £292.
For beginners: Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi)
Pros
- +More affordable (£256.45 vs £291.95)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 23 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (62.4%) — 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 £256.45)
Who should buy Bladnoch?
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi) 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 Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 30319) - Archive (Adelphi)
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish