Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) vs Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Caol Ila
£84

Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Darkness
★ 5.00
£72
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Darkness |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 47.5% | 61.3% |
| Age | 17 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £83.95 | £71.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Quick verdict
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £72 vs £84.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£83.95 vs £71.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£71.95 vs £83.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (61.3%) — may need water
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Darkness!?
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Only Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Where to buy
Caol Ila 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Darkness! Broadbay 8 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange