Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs A Secret Islay Distillery 32 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt)
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
A Secret Islay Distillery 32 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt)
Master of Malt
£300
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | A Secret Islay Distillery 32 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Master of Malt |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 50.9% |
| Age | 17 yr | 32 yr |
| Price | £250 | £299.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
A Secret Islay Distillery 32 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
A Secret Islay Distillery 32 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt)
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 £300.
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 £299.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
A Secret Islay Distillery 32 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (32 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299.95 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 A?
A Secret Islay Distillery 32 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt) 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 A Secret Islay Distillery 32 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt)