Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice vs Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Caol Ila
£89
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Glen Grant
★ 5.00
£106
| Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice | Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Glen Grant |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 52.5% |
| Age | 11 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £89 | £106.37 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice is better value at £89 vs £106.
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 £106.37)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 11 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£106.37 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 Glen?
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Only Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Where to buy
Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2011 - Hepburn's Choice
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange