Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)

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

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
DistilleryTormoreCaol Ila
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV60.2%55.5%
Age8 yr14 yr
Price£123.95£89.95
Rating5.00/5

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner35/100
Value40/100

Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) is better value at £90 vs £124.

For beginners: Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (60.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£123.95 vs £89.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£89.95 vs £123.95)
  • +Longer maturation (14 vs 8 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.5%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Tormore?

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Caol?

Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) 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 Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Malt ExtractVanillaOld WoodToasted

Only Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)

SmokeyCitricSherriedDried Fruit

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