Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s
Springbank
£399
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Springbank | Caol Ila |
| Region | Campbeltown | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 55.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £399 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s
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).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £399.
For beginners: Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£399 vs £250)
- −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 affordable (£250 vs £399)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Longrow?
Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Campbeltown 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
Only Longrow 18 Year Old - Early 2000s
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)