Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Caol Ila
£122
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 5.00
£119
| Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 45% | 53.5% |
| Age | 12 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £122.3 | £119 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Quick verdict
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof is better value at £119 vs £122.
For beginners: Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 10 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£122.3 vs £119)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£119 vs £122.3)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof 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 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof