Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
Imperial
£272
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Imperial | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 42.2% | 55.9% |
| Age | 27 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £271.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
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 £272.
For beginners: Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (27 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£271.95 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 £271.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Imperial?
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside 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 Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)