Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Aberlour
£179
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Aberlour | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.1% | 55.9% |
| Age | 26 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £179.22 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
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).
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) is better value at £179 vs £250.
For beginners: Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Pros
- +More affordable (£179.22 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — 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 £179.22)
Who should buy Aberlour?
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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 Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)