A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt)
Master of Malt
£300
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Master of Malt | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 47.4% | 55.9% |
| Age | 31 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £299.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt)
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 £300.
For beginners: A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£299.95 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 £299.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy A?
A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt) 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 A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 - Masterpiece (Master of Malt)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)