Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange
Hampden
£395
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Hampden | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £395 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange
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 £395.
For beginners: Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£395 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 £395)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Hampden?
Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for 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 Hampden 2010 LROK / Cask 488 Vireo / Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)