Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017 vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017
Highland Park
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017 | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Caol Ila |
| Region | Island | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 55.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017 is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017 is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.
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.
Tasting notes
Only Highland Park 18 Year Old - Pre 2017
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)