Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish vs Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£292
Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)
Strathisla
£477
| Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish | Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Strathisla |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 50% |
| Age | 23 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £291.95 | £477.38 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)
Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du 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 £477.
For beginners: Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky) is more approachable (55/100 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 £477.38)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 23 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£477.38 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 Strathisla?
Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Ardbeg 23 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish
Only Strathisla 25 Year Old 1997 (cask 78844) - Artist #12 (La Maison du Whisky)