Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice vs Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila
£128
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Teeling
★ 5.00
£176
| Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice | Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Teeling |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Ireland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58% | 46% |
| Age | 31 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £127.95 | £175.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Quick verdict
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £128 vs £176.
For beginners: Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£127.95 vs £175.95)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 21 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£175.95 vs £127.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice 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.
Who should buy Teeling?
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask