Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag
Arbikie
£197
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Arbikie | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £196.5 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag
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).
Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag is better value at £197 vs £250.
For beginners: Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag
Pros
- +More affordable (£196.5 vs £250)
- +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 £196.5)
Who should buy Arbikie?
Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag 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 Arbikie Highland Rye Artist Edition No.1 - Francis Boag
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)