Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid) vs The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid)
Caol Ila
£60
The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish
GlenDronach
★ 5.00
£73
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid) | The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | GlenDronach |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 52.5% | 46% |
| Age | 17 yr | 19 yr |
| Price | £60.12 | £72.58 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid)
The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid)
The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish
Quick verdict
The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid) is better value at £60 vs £73.
For beginners: The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£60.12 vs £72.58)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −More expensive (£72.58 vs £60.12)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (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.
Who should buy The?
The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid)
Only The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish
Where to buy
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1990 - Mission (Murray McDavid)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
The GlenDronach 19 Year Old - Madeira Cask Finish
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange