Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr vs Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr
Balblair
£114
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£140
| Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr | Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 52.5% | 57.4% |
| Age | 14 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £113.95 | £139.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr is better value at £114 vs £140.
For beginners: Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr
Pros
- +More affordable (£113.95 vs £139.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 14 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£139.95 vs £113.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr 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 Caol?
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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
Only Balblair 14 Year Old 2011 (cask 09027) - Dràm Mòr
Only Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)