Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie) vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie)
Caol Ila
£73
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£48
| Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie) | Big Peat at Christmas 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Big Peat |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 52.3% | 52.8% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £72.95 | £47.9 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Quick verdict
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £73.
For beginners: Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie) is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (52.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£72.95 vs £47.9)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Big Peat at Christmas 2021
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£47.9 vs £72.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie) 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 Big?
Big Peat at Christmas 2021 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
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2012 - Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland (James Eadie)
Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021