Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish
Springbank
★ 5.00
£250
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Springbank | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.1% | 55.9% |
| Age | 11 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £250 | £250 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £250.
For beginners: Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.1%) — may need water
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 11 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Longrow?
Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish 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 Longrow Red 11 Year Old - Pinot Noir Cask Finish
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)