Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum
Mount Gay
£199

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mount Gay | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
Who should buy Mount?
Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) 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 Mount Gay Andean Oak Single Traditional Blended Rum
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)