Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask
Bladnoch
£195
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bladnoch | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 55.9% |
| Age | 16 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £195 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First 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 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask is better value at £195 vs £250.
For beginners: Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£195 vs £250)
- +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)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 16 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £195)
Who should buy Bladnoch?
Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
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
Both taste of
Only Bladnoch 16 Year Old 1980 (cask 89/591/14) - First Cask
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)