Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks)
Ardmore
£235
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardmore | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.2% | 55.9% |
| Age | 22 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £234.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks)
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).
Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks) is better value at £235 vs £250.
For beginners: Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£234.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (22 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (54.2%) — 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 £234.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardmore?
Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks) 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 Ardmore 22 Year Old 2000 - Edition No.69 (Whisky Sponge & Decadent Drinks)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)