Tamdhu Cigar Malt vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Tamdhu Cigar Malt
Tamdhu
£180

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Tamdhu Cigar Malt | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tamdhu | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.8% | 55.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £180 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Tamdhu Cigar Malt
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Tamdhu Cigar Malt
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).
Tamdhu Cigar Malt is better value at £180 vs £250.
For beginners: Tamdhu Cigar Malt is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Tamdhu Cigar Malt
Pros
- +More affordable (£180 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.8%) — 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)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £180)
Who should buy Tamdhu?
Tamdhu Cigar Malt 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 Tamdhu Cigar Malt
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)