Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) vs Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Benrinnes
★ 5.00
£117
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Caol Ila
£157
| Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) | Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benrinnes | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 53.3% |
| Age | 24 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £117.35 | £156.53 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Quick verdict
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is better value at £117 vs £157.
For beginners: Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£117.35 vs £156.53)
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 18 years)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£156.53 vs £117.35)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) 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 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) 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
Only Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Only Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Where to buy
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange