Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s
Benromach
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benromach | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 55.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s
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).
Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −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 £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Benromach?
Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt 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 Benromach 18 Year Old - Late 1990s
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)