Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits vs Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits
Caol Ila
£75

Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter
Smögen
★ 5.00
£88
| Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits | Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Smögen |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Scotland | Sweden |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.2% | 61.1% |
| Age | 6 yr | 4 yr |
| Price | £74.54 | £88.05 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits
Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter
Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits
Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter
Quick verdict
Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits is better value at £75 vs £88.
For beginners: Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£74.54 vs £88.05)
- +Longer maturation (6 vs 4 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.2%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (61.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£88.05 vs £74.54)
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits 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 Smögen?
Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter 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
Only Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits
Only Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter
Where to buy
Caol Ila 6 Year Old 2016 (cask CI1623) - Hidden Spirits
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Smögen 4 Year Old French Quarter
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange