Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs SMWS No. 62.12 24 Year Old 1980
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
SMWS No. 62.12 24 Year Old 1980
Glenlochy
£450
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | SMWS No. 62.12 24 Year Old 1980 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Glenlochy |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 60.4% |
| Age | 23 yr | 24 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £450 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
SMWS No. 62.12 24 Year Old 1980
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
SMWS No. 62.12 24 Year Old 1980
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: Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is more approachable (45/100 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
SMWS No. 62.12 24 Year Old 1980
Pros
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 23 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (60.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£450 vs £291.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 SMWS?
SMWS No. 62.12 24 Year Old 1980 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only SMWS No. 62.12 24 Year Old 1980