Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Caol Ila 18 Year Old

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)Caol Ila 18 Year Old
DistilleryDeanstonCaol Ila
RegionHighlandIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV53.4%43%
Age19 yr18 yr
Price£71.95£98.94
Rating5.00/54.72/5

Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner65/100
Value69/100

Caol Ila 18 Year Old

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner65/100
Value48/100

Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 18 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.72).

Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £72 vs £99.

For beginners: Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£71.95 vs £98.94)

Cons

  • High ABV (53.4%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 18 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£98.94 vs £71.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.7 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Deanston?

Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 18 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Malt Extract

Only Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

HoneyVanillaOld Wood

Only Caol Ila 18 Year Old

SmokeyMedicinalOily

Where to buy

Deanston 19 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Caol Ila 18 Year Old

Explore more