Longmorn 15 Year Old vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Longmorn 15 Year OldCaol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
DistilleryLongmornCaol Ila
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV45%55.9%
Age15 yr17 yr
Price£150£250
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Longmorn 15 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner60/100
Value33/100

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner35/100
Value20/100

Longmorn 15 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Longmorn 15 Year Old is better value at £150 vs £250.

For beginners: Longmorn 15 Year Old is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Longmorn 15 Year Old

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £250)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (17 vs 15 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£250 vs £150)

Who should buy Longmorn?

Longmorn 15 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside 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

Malt ExtractHoneyFresh Fruit

Only Longmorn 15 Year Old

VanillaToasted

Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Citric

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