Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Caledonian
£275
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caledonian | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.9% | 55.9% |
| Age | 35 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £274.99 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
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 £275.
For beginners: Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£274.99 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 £274.99)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Caledonian?
Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
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 Caledonian 35 Year Old 1987 (cask 23484) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)