Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) vs Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Braeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet)
★ 5.00
£50
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Caol Ila
£52
| Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Braeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet) | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.7% | 58.1% |
| Age | 9 yr | 5 yr |
| Price | £49.95 | £52.22 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Quick verdict
Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £50 vs £52.
For beginners: Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£49.95 vs £52.22)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£52.22 vs £49.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Braeval?
Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) 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 Braeval 9 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Only Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)