Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice vs Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

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

Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's ChoiceTobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s
DistilleryCaol IlaTobermory
RegionIslayIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV58%40%
Age31 yr10 yr
Price£127.95£99.99
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice

Smoke64/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner20/100
Value0/100

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s is better value at £100 vs £128.

For beginners: Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 10 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (58%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£127.95 vs £99.99)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£99.99 vs £127.95)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice 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 Tobermory?

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.

Tasting notes

Only Caol Ila 31 Year Old 1979 (cask 5305) - Mackillop's Choice

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodToasted

Only Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

HoneyMalt ExtractFresh Fruit

Explore more