Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask vs Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2021

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala CaskCaol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2021
DistilleryTeelingCaol Ila
Region
CountryIrelandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%57%
Age21 yr12 yr
Price£175.95£150
Rating5.00/5

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner60/100
Value28/100

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2021

Smoke64/100
Sweetness51/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2021

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2021 is better value at £150 vs £176.

For beginners: Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£175.95 vs £150)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2021

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £175.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (57%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Teeling?

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2021 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

Sherried

Only Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask

Dried FruitCooked FruitChocolate

Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2021

Fresh FruitSmokeyHoneyFragant

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