Bruichladdich 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019 vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bruichladdich 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019
Bruichladdich
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bruichladdich 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019 | 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 | 61.1% | 55.9% |
| Age | 13 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bruichladdich 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bruichladdich 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019
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 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019 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).
Bruichladdich 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (61.1%) — 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 13 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 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019 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 Bruichladdich 13 Year Old 2005 Valinch - Fèis Ìle 2019
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)