Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1996 - Chieftain's Ian MacLeod) vs Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1996 - Chieftain's Ian MacLeod)Lower East Side Blended Malt
DistilleryCaol IlaLower East Side
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV43%40%
Age13 yrNAS
Price£46.95£29.9
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1996 - Chieftain's Ian MacLeod)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner65/100
Value0/100

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1996 - Chieftain's Ian MacLeod)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lower East Side Blended Malt

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lower East Side Blended Malt is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Lower East Side Blended Malt is better value at £30 vs £47.

For beginners: Lower East Side Blended Malt is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1996 - Chieftain's Ian MacLeod)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • More expensive (£46.95 vs £29.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Lower East Side Blended Malt

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1996 - Chieftain's Ian MacLeod) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.

Who should buy Lower?

Lower East Side Blended Malt 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 13 Year Old 1996 - Chieftain's Ian MacLeod)

SmokeySherriedCooked FruitMedicinalOily

Only Lower East Side Blended Malt

Fresh FruitHoneyVanillaMalt Extract

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