Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail)
Caol Ila
£47
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Deanston
★ 5.00
£50
| Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail) | Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Deanston |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.3% | 58.7% |
| Age | 11 yr | 9 yr |
| Price | £47.21 | £49.96 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail)
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail)
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Quick verdict
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £47 vs £50.
For beginners: Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£47.21 vs £49.96)
- +Longer maturation (11 vs 9 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£49.96 vs £47.21)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 Deanston?
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured 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 11 Year Old 2005 (casks 301521, 301523, 301524 & 301527) - Cask Strength (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured