Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street
Jameson
£200
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Jameson | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Ireland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.3% | 55.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199.99 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street
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).
Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street
Pros
- +More affordable (£199.99 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.3%) — 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 £199.99)
Who should buy Jameson?
Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street 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 Jameson 18 Year Old Bow Street
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)