Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1984 Cask 5387 (Bladnoch) vs The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1984 Cask 5387 (Bladnoch)The Antiquary 21 Year Old
DistilleryCaol IlaThe Antiquary
RegionIslayOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV54.3%43%
Age25 yr21 yr
Price£70.45£84.9
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1984 Cask 5387 (Bladnoch)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

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

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1984 Cask 5387 (Bladnoch)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1984 Cask 5387 (Bladnoch) is better value at £70 vs £85.

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

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1984 Cask 5387 (Bladnoch)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£70.45 vs £84.9)
  • +Longer maturation (25 vs 21 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (54.3%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£84.9 vs £70.45)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 25 Year Old 1984 Cask 5387 (Bladnoch) 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 25 Year Old 1984 Cask 5387 (Bladnoch)

SmokeyMedicinalLeatheryKippery

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

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