Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts vs Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Caol Ila
£999
Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£799
| Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts | Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Highland Park |
| Region | Islay | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 61.7% | 45.7% |
| Age | 23 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £999 | £799 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019
Quick verdict
Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019 is better value at £799 vs £999.
For beginners: Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019 is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (61.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£999 vs £799)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts 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 Highland?
Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019 suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1978 - Rare Malts
Only Highland Park 25 Year Old - Pre 2019