Caol Ila 18 Year Old vs Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

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

Caol Ila 18 Year OldIslay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistilleryCaol IlaThat Boutique-y Whisky Company
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%48.8%
Age18 yr11 yr
Price£98.94£66.95
Rating4.72/55.00/5

Caol Ila 18 Year Old

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner65/100
Value48/100

Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner50/100
Value75/100

Caol Ila 18 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.72).

Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £67 vs £99.

For beginners: Caol Ila 18 Year Old is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 18 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (18 vs 11 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£98.94 vs £66.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.7 vs 5.0)

Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£66.95 vs £98.94)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 18 Year Old 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 Islay?

Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SmokeyMedicinal

Only Caol Ila 18 Year Old

Malt ExtractOily

Only Islay #4 11 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Dried FruitLeathery

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