I don't think there's any particular drawback to either of these. CGDGCD is essentially DADGAD moved over a string, which gives you some nice cross string effects. But CGDGAD has the 2nd G,A string combination as well, which assists in cross-string DADGAD effects, since the top 3 strings are the same as DADGAD, while giving you G,C, and D as open bass strings. (both do) I think the sus4 sound maybe lends itself more to the celtic guitar sound, which may be what you're detecting as the "tone".
But El does just fine with the other. He picked that tuning up from Dave Evans, and there are some really nice chord voicings available in that tuning. Laurence Juber also uses it now and then (tho not for anything Celtic-sounding)
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