While i liked "skyfall", "layer cake" was brilliant, imho, but like you said, a matter of personal taste.
Didn't watch the new "casino royale" yet. The original one was my first bond movie, as a teenager.
I might have forgotten one or another, but i think i never saw a remake that was better than the original, with the exception of Johnny Depp's (Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the chocolate factory).