Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1991 (Murray McDavid) vs Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1991 (Murray McDavid)Lower East Side Blended Malt
DistilleryCaol IlaLower East Side
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%40%
Age18 yrNAS
Price£44.95£29.9
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1991 (Murray McDavid)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Lower East Side Blended Malt

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

Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1991 (Murray McDavid)

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 £45.

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

Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1991 (Murray McDavid)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£44.95 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 18 Year Old 1991 (Murray McDavid) 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 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

Both taste of

Honey

Only Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1991 (Murray McDavid)

SmokeySherriedCooked FruitMedicinal

Only Lower East Side Blended Malt

Fresh FruitVanillaMalt Extract

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