Caol Ila 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 791) - Kingsbury vs Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

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

Caol Ila 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 791) - KingsburySirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits
DistilleryCaol IlaNorth Star Spirits
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV56%43.1%
Age21 yr31 yr
Price£184.43£116.95
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 791) - Kingsbury

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value0/100

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner60/100
Value43/100

Caol Ila 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 791) - Kingsbury

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is better value at £117 vs £184.

For beginners: Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 791) - Kingsbury

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (56%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£184.43 vs £116.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£116.95 vs £184.43)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 21 years)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 791) - Kingsbury 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 Sirius?

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only Caol Ila 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 791) - Kingsbury

SmokeyLeatheryMedicinal

Only Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

VanillaNutty

Where to buy

Caol Ila 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 791) - Kingsbury

Sirius 31 Year Old - North Star Spirits

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