Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch
Bimber
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bimber | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | England | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.9% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch
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).
Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch
Pros
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.9%) — may need water
- −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)
Who should buy Bimber?
Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch 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 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 Bimber Shoulders of Giants (cask 450) - Victoria The Monarch
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)