Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s vs Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Bowmore
★ 4.80
£199

Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Banff
★ 5.00
£265
| Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s | Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Banff |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 41.8% |
| Age | 17 yr | 36 yr |
| Price | £199 | £265.32 |
| Rating | 4.80/5 | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.80).
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s is better value at £199 vs £265.
For beginners: Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £265.32)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (36 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£265.32 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Banff?
Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Only Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Only Banff 36 Year Old 1975 - Old and Rare (Douglas Laing)