Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice) vs Midleton Very Rare 2016
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Caol Ila
£1200
Midleton Very Rare 2016
Midleton
★ 4.91
£799
| Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice) | Midleton Very Rare 2016 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Midleton |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Ireland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 56.1% | 40% |
| Age | 37 yr | NAS |
| Price | £1200 | £799 |
| Rating | — | 4.91/5 |
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Midleton Very Rare 2016
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Midleton Very Rare 2016
Quick verdict
Midleton Very Rare 2016 is rated higher (4.91 vs 0.00).
Midleton Very Rare 2016 is better value at £799 vs £1200.
For beginners: Midleton Very Rare 2016 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (56.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1200 vs £799)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.9)
Midleton Very Rare 2016
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.9/5)
- +More affordable (£799 vs £1200)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (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 Midleton?
Midleton Very Rare 2016 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.
Tasting notes
Only Caol Ila 37 Year Old 1981 (cask 3245) - Rare Master's Collection (Mackillop's Choice)
Only Midleton Very Rare 2016