Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011 vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011
Bruichladdich
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011 | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bruichladdich | Caol Ila |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 55.9% |
| Age | 9 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011
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).
Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011 is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011 is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −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 9 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bruichladdich?
Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay 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 Bruichladdich 9 Year Old 2001 Renaissance - Fèis Ìle 2011
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)