Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
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
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£150
| Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice | Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Famous Grouse |
| Region | Islay | Other Scotch |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 58% | 40% |
| Age | 31 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £127.95 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Quick verdict
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 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 £150.
For beginners: Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is more approachable (70/100 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 £150)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£150 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 Famous?
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989