Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Garnheath
£303
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Garnheath |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 55.9% | 47.2% |
| Age | 17 yr | 45 yr |
| Price | £250 | £303.08 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
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 £303.
For beginners: Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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 £303.08)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (45 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£303.08 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 Garnheath?
Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Only Garnheath 45 Year Old 1974 (cask 313236) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)