Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£299
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus | 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 | 55% | 55.9% |
| Age | 12 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £299 | £250 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £299.
For beginners: Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £250)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£250 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus 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.
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 Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)