Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt) vs Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

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

Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt)Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryCaol IlaGlen Grant
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV48.8%52.5%
Age17 yr20 yr
Price£146.77£106.37
Rating5.00/5

Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner45/100
Value47/100

Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £106 vs £147.

For beginners: Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).

Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • More expensive (£146.77 vs £106.37)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£106.37 vs £146.77)
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 17 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt) 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 Glen?

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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

Only Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt)

SmokeyFresh FruitOilyMedicinalMalt Extract

Only Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SherriedVanillaCooked FruitHoneyToasted

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