Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) vs Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Blair Athol
★ 5.00
£110
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£140
| Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Blair Athol | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.5% | 57.4% |
| Age | 21 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £109.95 | £139.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £110 vs £140.
For beginners: Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£109.95 vs £139.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 21 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£139.95 vs £109.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Blair?
Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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 Caol?
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Blair Athol 21 Year Old - Batch 5 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Only Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)