Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) vs Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Caol Ila
£76
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Darkness
★ 5.00
£72
| Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Darkness |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.1% | 61.3% |
| Age | 10 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £75.95 | £71.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Quick verdict
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £72 vs £76.
For beginners: Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (10 vs 8 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£75.95 vs £71.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£71.95 vs £75.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (61.3%) — may need water
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - 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.
Who should buy Darkness!?
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Only Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Where to buy
Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2014 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange