Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits vs Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star SpiritsCaol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
DistilleryNorth Star SpiritsCaol Ila
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV43.1%54.9%
Age31 yr28 yr
Price£116.95£121.32
Rating5.00/5

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner60/100
Value43/100

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £121.

For beginners: Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£116.95 vs £121.32)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 28 years)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£121.32 vs £116.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Sirius?

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd) 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

Old Wood

Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

VanillaNutty

Only Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

SmokeyOilyMedicinalLeathery

Where to buy

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

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