Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011) vs Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

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

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
DistilleryCaol IlaNorth Star Spirits
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV64%43.1%
Age12 yr31 yr
Price£150£116.95
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner60/100
Value43/100

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £150.

For beginners: Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (64%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£150 vs £116.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£116.95 vs £150)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011) 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 Sirius?

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Vanilla

Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)

Fresh FruitMalt ExtractHoneyCitric

Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Old WoodNutty

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