Invergordon 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Invergordon 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Invergordon
£269
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Invergordon 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) | 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 | 42.5% | 55.9% |
| Age | 50 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £269.46 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Invergordon 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Invergordon 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
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 £269.
For beginners: Invergordon 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Invergordon 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (50 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£269.46 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 £269.46)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Invergordon?
Invergordon 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
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 50 Year Old 1964 (cask 11047) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)