Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005) vs Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)
Caol Ila
£139
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Glen Grant
★ 5.00
£106
| Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005) | Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Glen Grant |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 59.4% | 52.5% |
| Age | 25 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £139 | £106.37 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £106 vs £139.
For beginners: Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 20 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£139 vs £106.37)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£106.37 vs £139)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005) 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 Glen?
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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.
Tasting notes
Only Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1979 (Special Release 2005)
Only Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)