The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask

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

The Antiquary 21 Year OldCaol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask
DistilleryThe AntiquaryCaol Ila
RegionOther ScotchIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%56.5%
Age21 yr8 yr
Price£84.9£82.95
Rating5.00/5

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask

Smoke68/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask is better value at £83 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)
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 8 years)

Cons

  • More expensive (£84.9 vs £82.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£82.95 vs £84.9)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
  • 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 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask 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

SherriedDried Fruit

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Old WoodTobaccoNutty

Only Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask

SmokeyOilyMedicinal

Where to buy

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 (cask 321525A) - The Single Cask

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