Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask
Bladnoch
£199

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bladnoch | Caol Ila |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.4% | 55.9% |
| Age | 15 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask
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).
Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask
Pros
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (51.4%) — 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)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 15 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
Who should buy Bladnoch?
Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask 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 Bladnoch 15 Year Old 2002 (cask 1022) - Palo Cortado Cask
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)