The Antiquary 21 Year Old vs Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
The Antiquary
★ 5.00
£85
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Duncan Taylor
£87
| The Antiquary 21 Year Old | Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | The Antiquary | Duncan Taylor |
| Region | Other Scotch | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 52.9% |
| Age | 21 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £84.9 | £86.96 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £87.
For beginners: The Antiquary 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£84.9 vs £86.96)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (52.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£86.96 vs £84.9)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy The?
The Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.
Who should buy Islay?
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Only Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)