Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside Whisky
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside Whisky
Linkwood
£399
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside Whisky | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Linkwood |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | United Kingdom |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 49.1% | 40% |
| Age | 23 yr | NAS |
| Price | £291.95 | £399 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside Whisky
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside Whisky
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: Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside 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 £399)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside Whisky
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
Cons
- −More expensive (£399 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 Linkwood?
Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside 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
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Linkwood 1971 / 17 Year Old / Marks & Spencer Speyside Whisky