Caol Ila 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd) vs The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

Caol Ila 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)The Antiquary 21 Year Old
DistilleryCaol IlaThe Antiquary
RegionIslayOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV53.1%43%
Age28 yr21 yr
Price£121.32£84.9
Rating4.00/55.00/5

Caol Ila 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner30/100
Value33/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner75/100
Value59/100

Caol Ila 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £121.

For beginners: The Antiquary 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (28 vs 21 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (53.1%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£121.32 vs £84.9)
  • Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£84.9 vs £121.32)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd) 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 The?

The Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only Caol Ila 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

SmokeyOilyLeathery

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

Where to buy

Caol Ila 1982 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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