Bushmills Millennium Malt vs Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 4213) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Bushmills Millennium Malt
Bushmills
★ 5.00
£12

Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 4213) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Caol Ila
£16
| Bushmills Millennium Malt | Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 4213) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bushmills | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Ireland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 57% |
| Age | 25 yr | 26 yr |
| Price | £11.78 | £16.2 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Bushmills Millennium Malt
Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 4213) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Bushmills Millennium Malt
Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 4213) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Quick verdict
Bushmills Millennium Malt is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bushmills Millennium Malt is better value at £12 vs £16.
For beginners: Bushmills Millennium Malt is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).
Bushmills Millennium Malt
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 4213) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 25 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£16.2 vs £11.78)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Bushmills?
Bushmills Millennium Malt is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 4213) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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 Bushmills Millennium Malt
Only Caol Ila 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 4213) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)