Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) vs Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Caol Ila
£157
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Rosebank
★ 5.00
£174
| Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) | Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Rosebank |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.3% | 61.4% |
| Age | 18 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £156.53 | £173.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Quick verdict
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) is better value at £157 vs £174.
For beginners: Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Pros
- +More affordable (£156.53 vs £173.95)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 18 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (61.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£173.95 vs £156.53)
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) 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 Rosebank?
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007) 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
Only Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Only Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Where to buy
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Rosebank 25 Year Old 1981 (Special Release 2007)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange