Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.)
Invergordon
£270
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Invergordon | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 42% | 55.9% |
| Age | 48 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £270 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.)
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).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £270.
For beginners: Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (48 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£270 vs £250)
- −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 affordable (£250 vs £270)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Invergordon?
Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland 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
Both taste of
Only Invergordon 48 Year Old 1972 (Thompson Bros.)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)