Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Chichibu London Edition 2023 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

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

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)Chichibu London Edition 2023 Japanese Single Malt Whisky
DistilleryCaol IlaChichibu
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV55.9%40%
Age17 yrNAS
Price£250£360
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner35/100
Value20/100

Chichibu London Edition 2023 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Chichibu London Edition 2023 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £360.

For beginners: Chichibu London Edition 2023 Japanese Single Malt Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

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 £360)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water

Chichibu London Edition 2023 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£360 vs £250)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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.

Who should buy Chichibu?

Chichibu London Edition 2023 Japanese Single Malt Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Fresh FruitHoneyMalt Extract

Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Citric

Only Chichibu London Edition 2023 Japanese Single Malt Whisky

ToastedVanilla

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