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)
Caol Ila
£147

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Glen Grant
★ 5.00
£106
| Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt) | Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Glen Grant |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48.8% | 52.5% |
| Age | 17 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £146.77 | £106.37 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Caol lla 17 Year Old 2007 (cask 313187) - (Saltire Rare Malt)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
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)
Only Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)