Midleton Very Rare 2016 vs Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Midleton Very Rare 2016
Midleton
★ 4.91
£799
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Caol Ila
£1200
| Midleton Very Rare 2016 | Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Midleton | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Ireland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 56.1% |
| Age | NAS | 37 yr |
| Price | £799 | £1200 |
| Rating | 4.91/5 | — |
Midleton Very Rare 2016
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Midleton Very Rare 2016
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Quick verdict
Midleton Very Rare 2016 is rated higher (4.91 vs 0.00).
Midleton Very Rare 2016 is better value at £799 vs £1200.
For beginners: Midleton Very Rare 2016 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Midleton Very Rare 2016
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.9/5)
- +More affordable (£799 vs £1200)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (56.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1200 vs £799)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.9)
Who should buy Midleton?
Midleton Very Rare 2016 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 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice) 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 Midleton Very Rare 2016
Only Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)