# Caol Ila or Lagavulin? Another scotch poll **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 28, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874 "2006-12-28T16:49:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/1 "2006-12-28T16:49:21Z")
So I’ve got my eye on an 18 year old Caol Ila, but I’ve also got my eye on a 16 year old Lagavulin. At $80 & $90 respectively, there’s not enough room in my wallet for the both of em. I’ve tried & enjoyed each before, but not to the point of buying a bottle. I’ll probably end up flipping a coin, but I’m interested in knowing which way you folks lean. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/2 "2006-12-28T17:11:28Z")
Not that you asked, but I’d buy 2 bottles of 10 year old Laphroiag instead. Or 4 bottles of “Joe, Mark & Robbo”. I _WAS_ a big fan of the 16-yr old lagavullin. . .like 2 years ago when it cost $48 for 750ml. So, I’d lean that way, but I can’t get my head around Scotch prices these days. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/3 "2006-12-28T17:12:53Z")
I’ve only ever tried the 12 year-old Caol Ila, and I wasn’t terribly impressed with it. The 18 year-old is only $60 a bottle around here, so I will try it someday, but for now I’d definitely pick the Lagavulin. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/4 "2006-12-28T18:32:39Z")
Where are you located? I paid rather less than that for Lagavulin 16, though granted it was around half a year ago. With the dollar-to-pound ration, I may be out of date. I don’t know the Caol Ila; I’m not sure it’s distributed widely here. I do know that Jackson rates it 9 points lower than the Lagavulin, but he’s crazy for smoke in his Scotches. I love Lagavulin, but only in some moods and circumstances. I might go with the Caol Ila just for a little more flexibility. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/5 "2006-12-29T13:32:43Z")
Truth be told, I’m a little scared of Laphroaig. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, and I’d hate to drop $50 on a bottle only to find I don’t like it. But, my first impressions aren’t always accurate. For example, I bought a 12 year old Caol Ila on a whim before, and the first 3 drinks were fantastic. But after the first 3, it tasted like grain alcohol with a tinge of liquid smoke. I don’t know what changed, but I don’t plan on picking up another one. I’ve tried the 18 year old Caol Ila and Lagavulin once each. Both were in restaraunts after a good steak, and I liked them both. I’m a little concerned that they’ll turn out like the 12 year old Caol Ila - good at first, but not so good after the first few. Buying booze shouldn’t require this much thought 😉 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/6 "2006-12-29T15:48:30Z")
For my money, Lagavulin is superior to Laphroaig. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/7 "2006-12-29T15:59:31Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] For my money, Lagavulin is superior to Laphroaig. [/QUOTE] Sure, but you spend a lot less of that money on the 10 year-old Laphroaig. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/8 "2006-12-29T19:18:43Z")
Lagavulin is peatier than Laphroaig, which is more peaty than Talisker, to my tastebuds - so the question is how macho-Islay are you trying to get? I have only had cask-strength Caol Ila, so can’t comment on the normally-bottled stuff. I enjoy them all, but tend to keep one Islay around for just a bit of sipping - and lately that has been Lagavulin. But then again, I am a Macallan 18-year guy - completely different category, but to my tastebuds, the best ever. I was taught to drink single-malt on it and Glenmorangie when I lived in Scotland, well before there was anything in the U.S. besides 'livet and 'fiddich… ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/9 "2006-12-29T19:24:22Z")
Hijack here-but are the high-quality blended whikey’s just as good as single-malts? I’m talking about blends like Johnny walker BLUE LABEL (30 years old), or Ballentine’s 50-Yesr Old-aren’t these blends of 100% malt whiskey’s? ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/10 "2006-12-29T19:33:36Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] Hijack here-but are the high-quality blended whikey’s just as good as single-malts? I’m talking about blends like Johnny walker BLUE LABEL (30 years old), or Ballentine’s 50-Yesr Old-aren’t these blends of 100% malt whiskey’s? [/QUOTE] Yes, they _are_ good. But quite pricey. I bought a bottle of Blue Label as a gift for a friend a few weeks ago - would you believe about $250 Cdn (= $225 US)! ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/11 "2006-12-29T19:38:30Z")
Back to the OP: I know you were asking about Lagavulin and Caol, but maybe you’d like to consider something a bit different from those (but retaining _some_ of their peatiness. Specifically, do you know [Oban](http://www.scotchwhisky.com/english/tasting/brands/obab.htm)? It’s about $80 a bottle, so it’s right in the range you’re looking. The link describes its character in some detail, and you may wish to compare it with Lagavulin at the same site. I think you’ll see there’s a fair bit in common, but enough of a difference to make it a bit of an adventure. I can almost guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/12 "2006-12-29T19:41:39Z")
[QUOTE=KarlGauss] Back to the OP: I know you were asking about Lagavulin and Caol, but maybe you’d like to consider something a bit different from those (but retaining _some_ of their peatiness. Specifically, do you know [Oban](http://www.scotchwhisky.com/english/tasting/brands/obab.htm)? It’s about $80 a bottle, so it’s right in the range you’re looking. The link describes its character in some detail, and you may wish to compare it with Lagavulin at the same site. I think you’ll see there’s a fair bit in common, but enough of a difference to make it a bit of an adventure. I can almost guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. [/QUOTE] Oban is a wonderful, buttery Scotch, but I assumed the OP was looking for an Islay…if you’re not, \*\*KarlGauss \*\*offers a great suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/13 "2006-12-29T19:44:28Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] Hijack here-but are the high-quality blended whikey’s just as good as single-malts? I’m talking about blends like Johnny walker BLUE LABEL (30 years old), or Ballentine’s 50-Yesr Old-aren’t these blends of 100% malt whiskey’s? [/QUOTE] No, blends are cut with grain whiskies. Johnnie Walker Blue is good (and pretty much the only good blend as far as I’m concerned), but for the price, you can get a nice selection of single malts. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/14 "2006-12-29T19:52:51Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] Lagavulin is peatier than Laphroaig, which is more peaty than Talisker, to my tastebuds - so the question is how macho-Islay are you trying to get? [/QUOTE] I don’t know that I’d call it ‘macho-Islay’. My “default” is Highland Park. IMHO, it sits comfortably between the light & airy Highlands / Speysides and the peaty & smoky Islays. I have a Balvenie Double-Wood on the shelf right now, so I’m definitely looking for something on the peaty side. I finished an Oban over last summer, so I guess I’m doing the adventure in reverse 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/15 "2006-12-29T20:45:53Z")
[QUOTE=Earthworm Jim] I don’t know that I’d call it ‘macho-Islay’. My “default” is Highland Park. IMHO, it sits comfortably between the light & airy Highlands / Speysides and the peaty & smoky Islays. I have a Balvenie Double-Wood on the shelf right now, so I’m definitely looking for something on the peaty side. I finished an Oban over last summer, so I guess I’m doing the adventure in reverse 😉 [/QUOTE] Hey - it’s all good, and it sounds like a fun adventure! I was just being cute about how some folks are all about the peat - just like some Cab drinkers are all about the “fruit forward” or some Harley owners have to have “that” sound…whatever’s good and is fun, that’s okay by me. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/16 "2006-12-29T22:02:58Z")
Damn! Lagavulin is up to $90 bucks some places? I was pissed when it got popular and wasn’t $40 any more. Fortunately I can still get it for $60. ---
**Author:** ![ACC\_Expat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@ACC\_Expat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ACC_Expat)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/17 "2006-12-29T22:29:40Z")
I’d get two bottles of Laphroaig as well…then again, Lagavulin 16 is **$96.00** (!!!) a bottle before tax at my local liquor merchant, and I have yet to see a bottle of Caol Ila around here so I haven’t been able to try it. ☹ I need to track down some Oban and Talisker. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/18 "2006-12-29T22:46:53Z")
[QUOTE=Earthworm Jim] My “default” is Highland Park. IMHO, it sits comfortably between the light & airy Highlands / Speysides and the peaty & smoky Islays. [/QUOTE] Highland Park 18 is my default single-malt as well. But, unlike you, I generally loathe the peat monsters. The only Islay I will touch is the Bowmore 17, which for some reason at that age is quite palatable to me. I love Talisker too. Just something about the uber-macho “Look how much peat and salt and seaweed we can pack into a bottle” bottlings that turns me off. Oh, well. If you love the stuff, more power to you. Just means less competition for the Speysides for me! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caol-ila-or-lagavulin-another-scotch-poll/385874/19 "2006-12-31T03:27:28Z")
If you like a whiskey that is characterized as “like Ardbeg as 10 years ago,” try McCarthy’s Single Malt Whisky from Clear Creek Distillery in Oregon. It’s made with Scotch barley.