Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky
Cragganmore
£299
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Cragganmore | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £299 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky
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: Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −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 Cragganmore?
Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky 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
Only Cragganmore 14 Year Old / Friends of the Classic Malts Speyside Whisky
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)