Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1996 (cask 11498) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)

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

Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1996 (cask 11498) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)
DistilleryCaol IlaTobermory
RegionIslayIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV51.5%68.2%
Age20 yr8 yr
Price£104.42£65.84
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1996 (cask 11498) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner40/100
Value76/100

Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1996 (cask 11498) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants) is better value at £66 vs £104.

For beginners: Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants) is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1996 (cask 11498) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 8 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£104.42 vs £65.84)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£65.84 vs £104.42)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (68.2%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1996 (cask 11498) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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 Tobermory?

Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants) 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 Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1996 (cask 11498) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

SmokeyKipperyOld WoodLeatheryMedicinal

Only Tobermory 8 Year Old 2008 (cask 900154) - Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)

SherriedHoneyDried FruitVanillaToasted

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