Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) vs Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Caol Ila
£52
| Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.7% | 58.1% |
| Age | 20 yr | 5 yr |
| Price | £60.45 | £52.22 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Quick verdict
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) is better value at £52 vs £60.
For beginners: Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 5 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£60.45 vs £52.22)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£52.22 vs £60.45)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.1%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) 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 Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Only Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)