Dallas Dhu 24 Year Old 1979 (cask 1383) - First Cask vs Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Dallas Dhu 24 Year Old 1979 (cask 1383) - First CaskDarkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
DistilleryDallas DhuArdbeg
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%49.1%
Age24 yr23 yr
Price£399£291.95
Rating5.00/5

Dallas Dhu 24 Year Old 1979 (cask 1383) - First Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness69/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner45/100
Value17/100

Dallas Dhu 24 Year Old 1979 (cask 1383) - First Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is better value at £292 vs £399.

For beginners: Dallas Dhu 24 Year Old 1979 (cask 1383) - First Cask is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Dallas Dhu 24 Year Old 1979 (cask 1383) - First Cask

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (24 vs 23 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£399 vs £291.95)
  • 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 affordable (£291.95 vs £399)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Dallas?

Dallas Dhu 24 Year Old 1979 (cask 1383) - First Cask is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

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

Old Wood

Only Dallas Dhu 24 Year Old 1979 (cask 1383) - First Cask

HoneyMalt ExtractVanillaDried Fruit

Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

SmokeySherriedCooked FruitLeathery

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