Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Smooth Ambler
★ 5.00
£299
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Smooth Ambler |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 49.1% | 47.1% |
| Age | 23 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £299 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is better value at £292 vs £299.
For beginners: Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£291.95 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£299 vs £291.95)
- −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 Smooth?
Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Bourbon character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Smooth Ambler Old Scout 12 Year Old Bourbon (cask 9484) Single Barrel Release