Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice
Cragganmore
£193
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Cragganmore | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.4% | 55.9% |
| Age | 23 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £193 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice
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).
Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £193 vs £250.
For beginners: Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +More affordable (£193 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — 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 £193)
Who should buy Cragganmore?
Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice 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
Both taste of
Only Cragganmore 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 1418) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)