Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt) vs Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

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

Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon
DistilleryCaol IlaCharlie Parry's
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandAmerica
TypeSingle MaltBourbon
ABV48%59.6%
Age14 yrNAS
Price£49.95£50.76
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness67/100
Beginner65/100
Value0/100

Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner40/100
Value99/100

Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt) is better value at £50 vs £51.

For beginners: Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +More affordable (£49.95 vs £50.76)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (59.6%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£50.76 vs £49.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt) 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 Charlie?

Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon 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

Vanilla

Only Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)

SmokeySherriedCooked FruitMedicinal

Only Charlie Parry’s Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

ToastedHoneyNew WoodNutty

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