Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask
Nagahama
£235
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Nagahama | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53% | 55.9% |
| Age | 4 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £234.99 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask
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).
Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask is better value at £235 vs £250.
For beginners: Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£234.99 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53%) — 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)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 4 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £234.99)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Nagahama?
Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask 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
Both taste of
Only Nagahama 4 Year Old 2018 (cask 1562) - Sauternes Cask
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)