Famous Grouse Highland Decanter vs Caol Ila 13 Year Old 2011 (cask 2322501/2011) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)

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

Famous Grouse Highland DecanterCaol Ila 13 Year Old 2011 (cask 2322501/2011) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
DistilleryFamous GrouseCaol Ila
RegionOther ScotchIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%53.9%
AgeNAS13 yr
Price£99.99£97.95
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 2011 (cask 2322501/2011) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)

Smoke65/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 2011 (cask 2322501/2011) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 2011 (cask 2322501/2011) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) is better value at £98 vs £100.

For beginners: Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

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 (£99.99 vs £97.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 2011 (cask 2322501/2011) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£97.95 vs £99.99)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Famous?

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 2011 (cask 2322501/2011) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) 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 Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyToasted

Only Caol Ila 13 Year Old 2011 (cask 2322501/2011) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)

SmokeyKipperyDried FruitFresh FruitOily

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