Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old vs The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old
Bowmore
★ 4.80
£499
The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015)
Caledonian
★ 5.00
£699
| Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old | The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Caledonian |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 56.9% | 53.3% |
| Age | 10 yr | 40 yr |
| Price | £499 | £699 |
| Rating | 4.80/5 | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old
The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015)
Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old
The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015)
Quick verdict
The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.80).
Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old is better value at £499 vs £699.
For beginners: The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£499 vs £699)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.9%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (40 vs 10 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£699 vs £499)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old 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 The?
The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Only Bowmore The Devil's Casks I - 10 Year Old
Only The Cally 40 Year Old 1974 (Special Release 2015)