Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s vs Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s
Golden Sun
★ 5.00
£50

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)
Caol Ila
£49
| Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s | Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Golden Sun | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Bourbon | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 57.1% |
| Age | 6 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £50 | £48.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)
Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)
Quick verdict
Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory) is better value at £49 vs £50.
For beginners: Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s
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 (£50 vs £48.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£48.95 vs £50)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 6 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Golden?
Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s 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 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory) 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 Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s
Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)
Where to buy
Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange