Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010) vs Big Peat 33 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010)
Caol Ila
£199
Big Peat 33 Year Old
Big Peat
★ 5.00
£250
| Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010) | Big Peat 33 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Big Peat |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 57.6% | 47.2% |
| Age | 12 yr | 33 yr |
| Price | £199 | £249.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010)
Big Peat 33 Year Old
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010)
Big Peat 33 Year Old
Quick verdict
Big Peat 33 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010) is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Big Peat 33 Year Old is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010)
Pros
- +More affordable (£199 vs £249.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.6%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Big Peat 33 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (33 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£249.95 vs £199)
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010) 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.
Who should buy Big?
Big Peat 33 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2010)
Only Big Peat 33 Year Old