Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Hazelwood Janet Sheed Roberts / 110th Birthday Edition Blended Whisky

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

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask FinishHazelwood Janet Sheed Roberts / 110th Birthday Edition Blended Whisky
DistilleryArdbegHazelwood
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV49.1%40%
Age23 yrNAS
Price£291.95£450
Rating5.00/5

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

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

Hazelwood Janet Sheed Roberts / 110th Birthday Edition Blended Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hazelwood Janet Sheed Roberts / 110th Birthday Edition Blended Whisky

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 £450.

For beginners: Hazelwood Janet Sheed Roberts / 110th Birthday Edition Blended Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

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 £450)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Hazelwood Janet Sheed Roberts / 110th Birthday Edition Blended Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£450 vs £291.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

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.

Who should buy Hazelwood?

Hazelwood Janet Sheed Roberts / 110th Birthday Edition Blended Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedOld Wood

Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish

SmokeyCooked FruitLeathery

Only Hazelwood Janet Sheed Roberts / 110th Birthday Edition Blended Whisky

Dried FruitTobacco

Explore more