TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.) vs Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 (cask 316480) - James Eadie (Drinks by the Dram Exclusive)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.)
Thompson Bros.
★ 5.00
£43
Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 (cask 316480) - James Eadie (Drinks by the Dram Exclusive)
Caol Ila
★ 4.00
£56
| TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.) | Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 (cask 316480) - James Eadie (Drinks by the Dram Exclusive) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Thompson Bros. | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 57.6% |
| Age | 6 yr | 9 yr |
| Price | £42.95 | £55.74 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.00/5 |
TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.)
Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 (cask 316480) - James Eadie (Drinks by the Dram Exclusive)
TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.)
Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 (cask 316480) - James Eadie (Drinks by the Dram Exclusive)
Quick verdict
TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.) is better value at £43 vs £56.
For beginners: TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£42.95 vs £55.74)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 (cask 316480) - James Eadie (Drinks by the Dram Exclusive)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (9 vs 6 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£55.74 vs £42.95)
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy TB/BSW?
TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 (cask 316480) - James Eadie (Drinks by the Dram Exclusive) 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 TB/BSW 6 Year Old (Thompson Bros.)
Only Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2011 (cask 316480) - James Eadie (Drinks by the Dram Exclusive)