Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
Rosebank
£350
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Rosebank | Caol Ila |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 55.9% |
| Age | 8 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £350 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
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 £350.
For beginners: Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£350 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 £350)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Rosebank?
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland 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
Both taste of
Only Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)