Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01 vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01
Bruichladdich
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01 | 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 | 62.1% | 55.9% |
| Age | 11 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01
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).
Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01 is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (62.1%) — 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 11 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 Port?
Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01 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
Only Port Charlotte 11 Year Old 2011 Valinch (cask 4322) - PLC:01
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)