Caol Ila 1996 (cask 19313) - Fèis Ìle 2009 vs Tomatin 30 Year Old

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

Caol Ila 1996 (cask 19313) - Fèis Ìle 2009Tomatin 30 Year Old
DistilleryCaol IlaTomatin
RegionIslayHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV58%46%
Age12 yr30 yr
Price£499£585
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 1996 (cask 19313) - Fèis Ìle 2009

Smoke68/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Tomatin 30 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner75/100
Value9/100

Caol Ila 1996 (cask 19313) - Fèis Ìle 2009

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomatin 30 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomatin 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 1996 (cask 19313) - Fèis Ìle 2009 is better value at £499 vs £585.

For beginners: Tomatin 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 1996 (cask 19313) - Fèis Ìle 2009

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£499 vs £585)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (58%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Tomatin 30 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • More expensive (£585 vs £499)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 1996 (cask 19313) - Fèis Ìle 2009 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 Tomatin?

Tomatin 30 Year Old 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

Sherried

Only Caol Ila 1996 (cask 19313) - Fèis Ìle 2009

SmokeyMedicinalLeatheryCitric

Only Tomatin 30 Year Old

Old WoodHoneyVanillaDried Fruit

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