Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Longmorn 15 Year Old

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

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)Longmorn 15 Year Old
DistilleryCaol IlaLongmorn
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55.9%45%
Age17 yr15 yr
Price£250£150
Rating5.00/55.00/5

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

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

Longmorn 15 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner60/100
Value33/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Longmorn 15 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Longmorn 15 Year Old is better value at £150 vs £250.

For beginners: Longmorn 15 Year Old is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

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

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (17 vs 15 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£250 vs £150)

Longmorn 15 Year Old

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £250)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

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 Longmorn?

Longmorn 15 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Fresh FruitHoneyMalt Extract

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

Citric

Only Longmorn 15 Year Old

VanillaToasted

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