Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Tamdhu
★ 2.00
£203
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tamdhu | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.4% | 55.9% |
| Age | 25 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £203.36 | £250 |
| Rating | 2.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
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 2.00).
Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) is better value at £203 vs £250.
For beginners: Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£203.36 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (2.0 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 £203.36)
Who should buy Tamdhu?
Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing) 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 Tamdhu 25 Year Old 1988 - Old & Rare Platinum (Hunter Laing)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)