Nice comparison Alan, I fully agree! It was the Ardbeg 10 that was my first wow whisky that sent me on my whisky journey. I absolutely love the tar notes! I still come back to it from time to time but it tends to fall flat for me and I’d rather have the PC10 or Ledaig 10 or one of many Kilchomans (especially the Fino, Sauternes or Madeira). Kilchoman has definitely become my favorite Islay and I look forward to your Kilchoman video!!
I love both of these!! The Ardbeg would slightly edge out the Port Charlotte. Any day I’d welcome a dram or two of these fabulous expressions! Some women love fine whisky too! Lol! Happy Drams!! Terrific video!!
And there is no reason why a woman should not enjoy any of these bad boy whiskies....i heard women like bad boys... 😜 thanks for dropping by Christine...cheers Alan
I love em both so much it's impossible to pick a favorite, the Port Charlotte may have a slight edge because of the 50% abv although the Ardbeg stands on it's own perfectly fine.
Happy New Year, Alan! I've had both Ardbeg Ten and Port Charlotte 10, liked them both enough to buy backup bottles. Port Chatlotte edges it to me by a little due to being more ellegant and interesting. Still, if I'm in the appropriate mood I'd reach for the Ardbeg and thoroughly enjoy it. As it comes to Islay malts IMHO the distillery that currently is putting out the best peated whisky overall is Kilchoman.
I too love them both. I do wonder if there's some batch variation (is that even possible in a core range??) in the Port Charlotte because I just don't recognise much peat or smoke in mine. Yes lots of fruit, but its far more subtle than I was expecting. Thanks pal, great video.
When it comes to a comparison punch out this the business. There's nothing as tough as this one regardless of age or price. I love them both so much and it's a question of musical chairs. They don't taste the same so there's a gap and there's a difference in ABV. I don't think that matters. The best value whisky I ever buy is Ardbeg 10 in the 1 litre bottle at the airport. It can't be beaten. Port Charlotte is a different smoke. God damn it I'm on the fence. Thank the Lord we have them both. Cheers mate. WT
Your right Welsh this was a really tough comparison as there always on the shelf and on any given day it could be a different winner....i just gave z preference for the pc 10 as its bit more elegant/cleaner ...the Ardbeg is more raw and in your face...but really enjoyed doing this side by side...shame i have to pick a winner...cheers and a happy new year my friend....
I love them both ! Two great heavily peated whiskies. I agree that PC is more complex and the 50% abv give more strength to the dram. So if I d choose one it would be the PC10
Hi Alan, good comparison as always. The problem with this head to head is that the PC10 dries their malted barley with mainland peat as oppose to the Islay peat of Ardbeg. This makes me reach for Ardbeg more than PC10 as the mainland peat give me more earthy, mulchy and tea like feel rather than the dirty, sooty, sea spray notes. Combined with the red wine influence PC10 is a gentler dram but if I want to get hit in the face with peat, Ardbeg is my jam! Cheers friend 🥃
@@thewhiskyfriend Actually, I've only had Port Charlotte 10 once, and I've not tried the Ardbeg 10. I just bought my 1st Ardbeg, and i went with Uigeadail. I had sampled Uigeadail side by side with an Octomore at a local pub, and I was stricken by Uigeadail's whirlwind of rugged flavors.
Ardbeg 10 always solid. Haven't had it in awhile though. Had the PC 10 about 5 years ago and didn't like it. Just something offputting about it, gave the bottle away 😂. Nowadays I stick with Kilchoman and Laphroaig. Can't go wrong with any of their offerings.
Lots & lots of noise around Port Charlotte, rightly so, and a very good whisky, too. But, when compared (over a few tastings) with the Ardbeg 10, for me, it just falls short on complexity and finish. Ardbeg 10 is it.
WOW!!! you are the first person to say exactly the same as me about the Port Charlotte tasting like bacon fries or bacon frazzels ..edit then i noticed you said beef frazzels...now im double confused as i love bacon frazzels lol, if there is a beef frazzels i need to taste them hahaha...cheers
For me, the edge goes to Ardbeg, though about 95% of that edge is purely the price. It's about $10US cheaper than the PC-10 around here. Just purely on the flavor and nose, I'd have maybe a *slight* preference for the Ardbeg, but I'd be equally happy with either.
Happy new year 🥳 dear Alan! I enjoy them both but to be honest I have a soft spot for PC 10… it seems to drink better for longer as it makes itself down the bottle. In travel retail Ardbeg 10 one litre is at times on offer which makes it a good buy. Thanks for your fine battle! As always kindest regards, S.
Happy new year right back at you Sandro...loved doing this side by side think i prefer the PC10 but on a different day it could be the Ardbeg....love them both....thanks for dropping in my friend...
Both are great, but to be honest, I will likely reach for he Ardbeg more often than the Port Charlotte. I sometimes get a lactic taste (Sour Milk) from the PC and I love the citrus/lemon I get from the Ardbeg. All that said, I have never done a side-by-side , so I should do this. One final note that is likely influencing my current opinion is that I had a PC that had a small amount left in the bottle (3-4 oz) that was in my cabinet for about 9 months.. I finally killed the bottle, but that last dram left me underwhelmed. I know that this was due to the oxidation, but it left me not wanting to run out and purchase a replacement. I knot that is unfair, so I will be buying a replacement and then comparing to my Ardbeg 10. Thanks for the great review!
I haven’t tried the PC10 but it’s high on my list. Based on this review it’s even higher now. I do wonder how uigidail would compare to PC10 now. It has a lot of the changes you described and is closer in abv too. It’s a lot more expensive in my market so not really a fair comparison I guess
Hello Sir. If you don’t mind me saying, I think you would really benefit from a lapel mic. The sound would improve and you would be able to speak gently which would be a lot more pleasant for us - and you’d still be able to show off your wall of whisky!.
Nice comparison Alan, I fully agree!
It was the Ardbeg 10 that was my first wow whisky that sent me on my whisky journey. I absolutely love the tar notes! I still come back to it from time to time but it tends to fall flat for me and I’d rather have the PC10 or Ledaig 10 or one of many Kilchomans (especially the Fino, Sauternes or Madeira). Kilchoman has definitely become my favorite Islay and I look forward to your Kilchoman video!!
I finished off a bottle of the Kilchomen Sanig recently. I absolutely love it!
"Just want them both" That about sums it up.
I love both of these!! The Ardbeg would slightly edge out the Port Charlotte. Any day I’d welcome a dram or two of these fabulous expressions! Some women love fine whisky too! Lol! Happy Drams!! Terrific video!!
And there is no reason why a woman should not enjoy any of these bad boy whiskies....i heard women like bad boys... 😜 thanks for dropping by Christine...cheers Alan
@@thewhiskyfriend Yes we love the bad boys!!! LOL!!! You are hilarious Alan!! Thanks so much!! 🙂
I love em both so much it's impossible to pick a favorite, the Port Charlotte may have a slight edge because of the 50% abv although the Ardbeg stands on it's own perfectly fine.
Both awesome drams...
Also better use of casks and the added complexity of French wine casks. PC10 does not joke around!
Happy New Year, Alan!
I've had both Ardbeg Ten and Port Charlotte 10, liked them both enough to buy backup bottles. Port Chatlotte edges it to me by a little due to being more ellegant and interesting. Still, if I'm in the appropriate mood I'd reach for the Ardbeg and thoroughly enjoy it.
As it comes to Islay malts IMHO the distillery that currently is putting out the best peated whisky overall is Kilchoman.
Kilchoman comparison video coming next....😜
When it’s “pissing down” it’s great to be inside with The Whisky Friend!!!
I had a great time with 2 stellar whiskies my friend....
No matter how many times i'll say the Ardbeg is the pick from Islay, It was the PC coming out on top of a blind.
Always does well in blinds....its just so good...they both are to be fair....😜
I too love them both. I do wonder if there's some batch variation (is that even possible in a core range??) in the Port Charlotte because I just don't recognise much peat or smoke in mine. Yes lots of fruit, but its far more subtle than I was expecting. Thanks pal, great video.
Love em both! I go back and forth a couple times a year which I prefer. Currently, and possibly more often it's Port Charlotte.
When it comes to a comparison punch out this the business. There's nothing as tough as this one regardless of age or price. I love them both so much and it's a question of musical chairs. They don't taste the same so there's a gap and there's a difference in ABV. I don't think that matters. The best value whisky I ever buy is Ardbeg 10 in the 1 litre bottle at the airport. It can't be beaten. Port Charlotte is a different smoke. God damn it I'm on the fence. Thank the Lord we have them both. Cheers mate. WT
Your right Welsh this was a really tough comparison as there always on the shelf and on any given day it could be a different winner....i just gave z preference for the pc 10 as its bit more elegant/cleaner ...the Ardbeg is more raw and in your face...but really enjoyed doing this side by side...shame i have to pick a winner...cheers and a happy new year my friend....
I love them both ! Two great heavily peated whiskies. I agree that PC is more complex and the 50% abv give more strength to the dram. So if I d choose one it would be the PC10
On any day it could be either for me...both excellent and so different..
Thanks for dropping by...
Hi Alan, good comparison as always. The problem with this head to head is that the PC10 dries their malted barley with mainland peat as oppose to the Islay peat of Ardbeg. This makes me reach for Ardbeg more than PC10 as the mainland peat give me more earthy, mulchy and tea like feel rather than the dirty, sooty, sea spray notes. Combined with the red wine influence PC10 is a gentler dram but if I want to get hit in the face with peat, Ardbeg is my jam! Cheers friend 🥃
My favorite two "normal" bottles of islay... Watching this on the plane to Thailand, don't think I'll be finding any over there. Cheers
happy New Year Alan. Recently sat down with Port Charlotte 10 & Ledaig 10 side by side. Love both, and couldn't pick a winner just want both. Cheers
Alan, both sound so good. Cheers!
I was like a kid in a sweetie shop....cheers big guy...
Two great drams. But the PC tops Ardbeg every day for me🥂cheers
Nice review - and much needed!
Glad to be of service...what would be your pick my friend...😜
@@thewhiskyfriend Actually, I've only had Port Charlotte 10 once, and I've not tried the Ardbeg 10. I just bought my 1st Ardbeg, and i went with Uigeadail. I had sampled Uigeadail side by side with an Octomore at a local pub, and I was stricken by Uigeadail's whirlwind of rugged flavors.
Ardbeg 10 always solid. Haven't had it in awhile though. Had the PC 10 about 5 years ago and didn't like it. Just something offputting about it, gave the bottle away 😂. Nowadays I stick with Kilchoman and Laphroaig. Can't go wrong with any of their offerings.
Lots & lots of noise around Port Charlotte, rightly so, and a very good whisky, too. But, when compared (over a few tastings) with the Ardbeg 10, for me, it just falls short on complexity and finish. Ardbeg 10 is it.
Happy new whiskey year!
Same right back at you my friend....
Excellent review - cheers :) :) I Like both of them :)
Go on stick your neck out ....pick one if you can...😜
WOW!!! you are the first person to say exactly the same as me about the Port Charlotte tasting like bacon fries or bacon frazzels ..edit then i noticed you said beef frazzels...now im double confused as i love bacon frazzels lol, if there is a beef frazzels i need to taste them hahaha...cheers
Hi Alan. Both of these are always on my shelf, good side by side video 👍. Slàinte Alan
Port Charlotte no contest
I love the Ardbeg 10. Never let's me down.
I need to try the PC 10, but it's usually $20 or $30 more than the Ardbeg 10 here in Melbourne 🙁
For me, the edge goes to Ardbeg, though about 95% of that edge is purely the price. It's about $10US cheaper than the PC-10 around here. Just purely on the flavor and nose, I'd have maybe a *slight* preference for the Ardbeg, but I'd be equally happy with either.
get someone to pour them and try them blind...you might be surprised my friend
@@thewhiskyfriend That would be an interesting experiment. I'm sure I'll get to it one of these days.
Great line up Alan.
Have them both in the cabinet and both great whiskies, the Ardbeg definately being the favorite for me.
Slàinte mhath
Loved doing this one Frank both awesome but different...happy new year fella and i think 2024 is of to a great start...cheers big man...
@@thewhiskyfriend Happy New Year to you and yours as well, Alan.
Hi Alan A good whisky challenge two great drams They would taste better with a shugle
Cant keep hogging your shugle fella....😜
Happy new year 🥳 dear Alan! I enjoy them both but to be honest I have a soft spot for PC 10… it seems to drink better for longer as it makes itself down the bottle. In travel retail Ardbeg 10 one litre is at times on offer which makes it a good buy.
Thanks for your fine battle! As always kindest regards, S.
Happy new year right back at you Sandro...loved doing this side by side think i prefer the PC10 but on a different day it could be the Ardbeg....love them both....thanks for dropping in my friend...
Nice video!
Where do you get those lids for the glasses?
Thanks!
They are my whisky friend challenge coin batch 3...unfortunately sold out....thanks for dropping by my friend....
Both are great, but to be honest, I will likely reach for he Ardbeg more often than the Port Charlotte. I sometimes get a lactic taste (Sour Milk) from the PC and I love the citrus/lemon I get from the Ardbeg. All that said, I have never done a side-by-side , so I should do this.
One final note that is likely influencing my current opinion is that I had a PC that had a small amount left in the bottle (3-4 oz) that was in my cabinet for about 9 months.. I finally killed the bottle, but that last dram left me underwhelmed. I know that this was due to the oxidation, but it left me not wanting to run out and purchase a replacement. I knot that is unfair, so I will be buying a replacement and then comparing to my Ardbeg 10.
Thanks for the great review!
I haven’t tried the PC10 but it’s high on my list. Based on this review it’s even higher now. I do wonder how uigidail would compare to PC10 now. It has a lot of the changes you described and is closer in abv too. It’s a lot more expensive in my market so not really a fair comparison I guess
Hello Sir. If you don’t mind me saying, I think you would really benefit from a lapel mic. The sound would improve and you would be able to speak gently which would be a lot more pleasant for us - and you’d still be able to show off your wall of whisky!.
I love them both but IMHO the Port Charlotte 10 is considerably better than the Ardbeg 10.
Need your direction Sir. Which Glenfarclas do you recommend for me to try to buy?
Glenfarclas 12 is my dangerous dram....43% abv...however i would pay a little more for the 15 year at 46%....
Enjoy buddy....
@@thewhiskyfriend I can get the 25 for $200 or should I stick with the 12?
@WhiskeyKnows the 25 is not worth the $200...i would get the 15 if you can, if not get the 12....😜
Glenfarclas 15 is best of the standard expressions IMHO
I have the 15 yr on the way!! Thank You
Port Charlotte 10 vs Ledaig 10 please
Did the pc10 v ledaig 10 back in october...go back and check it out.. .cheers my friend...
@@thewhiskyfriend ok 👍 will search for it
paused...lol.....before i even watch or read the comments. Port Charlotte for me destroys the Ardbeg 10. i just cant get away with it. cheers
which is better........**
nice video. thanks. Stay safe, stay armed stay free. God Bless.
Cheers fella