Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits vs Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)

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

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star SpiritsCaol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)
DistilleryNorth Star SpiritsCaol Ila
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV43.1%59.4%
Age31 yr25 yr
Price£116.95£139
Rating5.00/5

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

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

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value0/100

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)

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 £139.

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 £139)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 25 years)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£139 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 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005) 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 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)

SmokeyOilyMedicinal

Explore more