Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8 vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8
Bowmore
★ 4.50
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8 | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 55.9% |
| Age | 15 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | 4.50/5 | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8
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 4.50).
Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8 is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8 is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 15 years)
- +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 Bowmore?
Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8 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
Both taste of
Only Bowmore 15 Year Old Golden & Elegant - Aston Martin Edition #8
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)