Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd) vs Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

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

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail
DistilleryCaol IlaStrathisla
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV54.9%43%
Age28 yr30 yr
Price£121.32£87.07
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner75/100
Value57/100

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is better value at £87 vs £121.

For beginners: Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£121.32 vs £87.07)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£87.07 vs £121.32)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd) 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 Strathisla?

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

SmokeyOilyMedicinalLeathery

Only Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

SherriedHoneyDried FruitNutty

Where to buy

Caol Ila 1983 (cask 4825) (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Strathisla 30 Year Old Gordon and MacPhail

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