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 - 2000sCaol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)
DistilleryGolden SunCaol Ila
RegionIslay
CountryAmericaScotland
TypeBourbonSingle Malt
ABV40%57.1%
Age6 yr12 yr
Price£50£48.95
Rating5.00/5

Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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

Toasted

Only Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s

VanillaNew WoodHoneyCooked Fruit

Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)

SmokeySherriedOld WoodOily

Where to buy

Golden Sun 6 Year Old Bourbon - 2000s

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2013 - 100 Proof Edition #65 (Signatory)

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