Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) vs Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Caol Ila
£52
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Deanston
★ 5.00
£50
| Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Deanston |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58.1% | 58.7% |
| Age | 5 yr | 9 yr |
| Price | £52.22 | £49.96 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Quick verdict
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured is better value at £50 vs £52.
For beginners: Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£52.22 vs £49.96)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£49.96 vs £52.22)
- +Longer maturation (9 vs 5 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (58.7%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) 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 Deanston?
Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured 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
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 Justino's Madeira Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Only Deanston 9 Year Old 2008 - Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured