Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) vs Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Caol Ila
£79

Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018
Cotswolds
★ 5.00
£65
| Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) | Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Cotswolds |
| Region | — | — |
| Country | Scotland | England |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.2% | 60.9% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £78.95 | £64.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018
Quick verdict
Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018 is better value at £65 vs £79.
For beginners: Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018 is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (56.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£78.95 vs £64.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£64.95 vs £78.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (60.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) 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 Cotswolds?
Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018 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
Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Only Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018
Where to buy
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Cotswolds Founder's Choice Whisky 2018
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange