Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel
Bushmills
£399
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bushmills | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Ireland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.6% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £399 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel
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).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £399.
For beginners: Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£399 vs £250)
- −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)
- +More affordable (£250 vs £399)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Bushmills?
Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel 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.
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 Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Where to buy
Bushmills 1982 (cask 18372) - Millennium Single Barrel
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange