Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£1500
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
| Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 51.2% | 53.5% |
| Age | 40 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £1500 | £1500 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.50/5 |
Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is better value at £1500 vs £1500.
For beginners: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (40 vs 10 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.2%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Pros
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing) 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 Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling 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 Caol Ila 40 Year Old 1979 - Xtra Old Particular The Black Series (Douglas Laing)
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling