Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish vs Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (2016 Release)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask FinishEagle Rare 17 Year Old (2016 Release)
DistilleryBunnahabhainEagle Rare
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandAmerica
TypeSingle MaltBourbon
ABV54.3%45%
Age14 yr17 yr
Price£82.95£124.95
Rating5.00/5

Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

Smoke64/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner40/100
Value60/100

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (2016 Release)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (2016 Release)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £83 vs £125.

For beginners: Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (2016 Release) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£82.95 vs £124.95)

Cons

  • High ABV (54.3%) — may need water

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (2016 Release)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (17 vs 14 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£124.95 vs £82.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Bunnahabhain?

Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 Eagle?

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (2016 Release) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Only Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 2003 - Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish

SherriedDried FruitChocolateSmokeyOld Wood

Only Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (2016 Release)

VanillaNew WoodHoneyToasted

Explore more