Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi) vs Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi)
Caol Ila
£85
Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast
Timorous Beastie
★ 5.00
£63
| Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi) | Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Timorous Beastie |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 57.3% | 52.5% |
| Age | 23 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £84.95 | £62.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi)
Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi)
Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast
Quick verdict
Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast is better value at £63 vs £85.
For beginners: Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 13 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (57.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£84.95 vs £62.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£62.95 vs £84.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi) 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 Timorous?
Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Only Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi)
Only Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast
Where to buy
Caol Ila 23 Year Old 1984 (Adelphi)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Timorous Beastie 13 Year Old – Meet The Beast
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange