Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Banff
£395
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Banff | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 55.9% |
| Age | 23 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £395 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
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).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £395.
For beginners: Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£395 vs £250)
- −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 affordable (£250 vs £395)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Banff?
Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
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 Banff 23 Year Old 1979 (cask 476/499) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)