Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) vs Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 (Celtic Heartlands)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Benrinnes
★ 5.00
£117
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 (Celtic Heartlands)
Caol Ila
£147
| Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) | Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 (Celtic Heartlands) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benrinnes | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 51.9% |
| Age | 24 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £117.35 | £146.52 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 (Celtic Heartlands)
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 (Celtic Heartlands)
Quick verdict
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is better value at £117 vs £147.
For beginners: Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£117.35 vs £146.52)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 (Celtic Heartlands)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 24 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (51.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£146.52 vs £117.35)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 (Celtic Heartlands) 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 Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Only Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 (Celtic Heartlands)