Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 (cask 15555) - Old Particular Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt Exclusive) vs Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

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

Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 (cask 15555) - Old Particular Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt Exclusive)Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
DistilleryCaol IlaFamous Grouse
RegionIslayOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV58.1%40%
Age11 yrNAS
Price£93.56£99.99
Rating4.86/55.00/5

Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 (cask 15555) - Old Particular Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt Exclusive)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner25/100
Value52/100

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 (cask 15555) - Old Particular Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt Exclusive)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.86).

Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 (cask 15555) - Old Particular Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt Exclusive) is better value at £94 vs £100.

For beginners: Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 (cask 15555) - Old Particular Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt Exclusive)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£93.56 vs £99.99)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (58.1%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • More expensive (£99.99 vs £93.56)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 (cask 15555) - Old Particular Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt Exclusive) 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 Famous?

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter 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.

Tasting notes

Only Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 (cask 15555) - Old Particular Fanatical About Flavour (Douglas Laing) (Master of Malt Exclusive)

SmokeyMedicinalOilyLeathery

Only Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyToasted

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