Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Chichibu The Peated 2012 (bottled 2016)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
Chichibu The Peated 2012 (bottled 2016)
Chichibu
£299
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | Chichibu The Peated 2012 (bottled 2016) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Chichibu |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 54.5% |
| Age | 17 yr | NAS |
| Price | £250 | £299 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Chichibu The Peated 2012 (bottled 2016)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Chichibu The Peated 2012 (bottled 2016)
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 £299.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
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 £299)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Chichibu The Peated 2012 (bottled 2016)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £250)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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.
Who should buy Chichibu?
Chichibu The Peated 2012 (bottled 2016) 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 Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Only Chichibu The Peated 2012 (bottled 2016)