Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Caol Ila
£89
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 5.00
£119
| Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 46% | 53.5% |
| Age | 11 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £89 | £119 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Quick verdict
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice is better value at £89 vs £119.
For beginners: Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£89 vs £119)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£119 vs £89)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice 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 Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof 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 Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof