Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 385) - Bond Street vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 385) - Bond StreetCaol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
DistilleryBimberCaol Ila
RegionIslay
CountryEnglandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.3%55.9%
AgeNAS17 yr
Price£399£250
Rating5.00/5

Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 385) - Bond Street

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner35/100
Value20/100

Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 385) - Bond Street

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £399.

For beginners: Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 385) - Bond Street is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).

Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 385) - Bond Street

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • High ABV (56.3%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£399 vs £250)
  • 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 affordable (£250 vs £399)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water

Who should buy Bimber?

Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 385) - Bond Street 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 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

Malt ExtractFresh Fruit

Only Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 385) - Bond Street

VanillaToasted

Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

CitricHoney

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