The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
The Antiquary
★ 5.00
£85
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Caol Ila
£62
| The Antiquary 21 Year Old | Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Antiquary | Caol Ila |
| Region | Other Scotch | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 51.5% |
| Age | 21 yr | 5 yr |
| Price | £84.9 | £61.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Quick verdict
The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) is better value at £62 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 5 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£84.9 vs £61.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£61.95 vs £84.9)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (51.5%) — 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 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (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.
Tasting notes
Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Only Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)