Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful
Bruichladdich
£237
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bruichladdich | Caol Ila |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.4% | 55.9% |
| Age | 20 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £237.38 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful
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).
Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful is better value at £237 vs £250.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£237.38 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −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 £237.38)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bruichladdich?
Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful 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 Bruichladdich 20 Year Old 2002 (cask #809) New Vibrations - Rest & Be Thankful
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)