Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Bowmore
£290
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Caol Ila |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48.4% | 55.9% |
| Age | 24 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £289.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
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 £290.
For beginners: Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£289.95 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 £289.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay 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 Bowmore 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 2690) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)