Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 436) - Piccadilly Circus 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 436) - Piccadilly Circus
Bimber
£299
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 436) - Piccadilly Circus | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bimber | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | England | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 62.1% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £299 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 436) - Piccadilly Circus
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 436) - Piccadilly Circus
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).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £299.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 436) - Piccadilly Circus
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (62.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 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 £299)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bimber?
Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 436) - Piccadilly Circus 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
Only Bimber Spirit of the Underground (cask 436) - Piccadilly Circus
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)