Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection
Bowmore
£248
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.7% | 55.9% |
| Age | 14 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £248.41 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection
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).
Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection is better value at £248 vs £250.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£248.41 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.7%) — 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 14 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £248.41)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection 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 Bowmore 14 Year Old 1999 - Mashmen's Selection
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)