Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series
Bruichladdich
£200
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bruichladdich | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 60.4% | 55.9% |
| Age | 12 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series
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).
Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
Cons
- −High ABV (60.4%) — 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 12 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bruichladdich?
Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series 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 Bruichladdich 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 3357) - Micro Provenance Series
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)