Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Springbank
£275
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Springbank |
| Region | Islay | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 50.4% |
| Age | 23 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £275.03 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Quick verdict
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) is better value at £275 vs £292.
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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£291.95 vs £275.03)
Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +More affordable (£275.03 vs £291.95)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −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 Springbank?
Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) 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 Springbank 23 Year Old 1993 (cask 150033) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)