Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Bowmore
★ 4.80
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Caol Ila |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 55.9% |
| Age | 17 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | 4.80/5 | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
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 4.80).
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +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 17 Year Old - Late 2000s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay 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 Bowmore 17 Year Old - Late 2000s
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)