Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve vs Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2017

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

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak ReserveCaol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2017
DistilleryGlenfiddichCaol Ila
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%55.8%
Age12 yr12 yr
Price£199£199
Rating5.00/5

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value25/100

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2017

Smoke68/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2017

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2017 is better value at £199 vs £199.

For beginners: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2017

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.8%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Glenfiddich?

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2017 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 Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve

ToastedVanillaHoneyMalt ExtractNew Wood

Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2017

SmokeySherriedMedicinalOilyDried Fruit

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