Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) vs Jameson 4.5L

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)Jameson 4.5L
DistilleryCaol IlaJameson
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV59.1%40%
Age15 yrNAS
Price£199£169.5
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness69/100
Beginner50/100
Value25/100

Jameson 4.5L

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value29/100

Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Jameson 4.5L

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Jameson 4.5L is better value at £170 vs £199.

For beginners: Jameson 4.5L is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (59.1%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£199 vs £169.5)

Jameson 4.5L

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£169.5 vs £199)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) 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 Jameson?

Jameson 4.5L suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyVanillaFresh Fruit

Only Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)

Sherried

Only Jameson 4.5L

Malt ExtractToasted

Where to buy

Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)

Jameson 4.5L

Explore more