Tomatin 30 Year Old vs Caol Ila 45 Year Old 1979 (cask 7711) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Tomatin 30 Year Old
Tomatin
★ 5.00
£585
Caol Ila 45 Year Old 1979 (cask 7711) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Caol Ila
£825
| Tomatin 30 Year Old | Caol Ila 45 Year Old 1979 (cask 7711) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomatin | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 48% |
| Age | 30 yr | 45 yr |
| Price | £585 | £824.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Tomatin 30 Year Old
Caol Ila 45 Year Old 1979 (cask 7711) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Tomatin 30 Year Old
Caol Ila 45 Year Old 1979 (cask 7711) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Quick verdict
Tomatin 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Tomatin 30 Year Old is better value at £585 vs £825.
For beginners: Tomatin 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Tomatin 30 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 45 Year Old 1979 (cask 7711) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (45 vs 30 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£824.95 vs £585)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Tomatin?
Tomatin 30 Year Old 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.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 45 Year Old 1979 (cask 7711) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Tomatin 30 Year Old
Only Caol Ila 45 Year Old 1979 (cask 7711) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)