The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2015 (cask 319259A) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

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

The Antiquary 21 Year OldCaol Ila 8 Year Old 2015 (cask 319259A) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh
DistilleryThe AntiquaryCaol Ila
RegionOther ScotchIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%57%
Age21 yr8 yr
Price£84.9£84.95
Rating5.00/5

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner75/100
Value59/100

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2015 (cask 319259A) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

Smoke64/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2015 (cask 319259A) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £85.

For beginners: The Antiquary 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£84.9 vs £84.95)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2015 (cask 319259A) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness

Cons

  • High ABV (57%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£84.95 vs £84.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy The?

The Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2015 (cask 319259A) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Sherried

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Old WoodDried FruitTobaccoNutty

Only Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2015 (cask 319259A) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

SmokeyHoneyCooked FruitVanilla

Where to buy

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2015 (cask 319259A) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

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