Fettercairn 22 Year Old vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Fettercairn 22 Year OldCaol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
DistilleryFettercairnCaol Ila
RegionHighlandIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV47%55.9%
Age22 yr17 yr
Price£244£250
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Fettercairn 22 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner70/100
Value20/100

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner35/100
Value20/100

Fettercairn 22 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Fettercairn 22 Year Old is better value at £244 vs £250.

For beginners: Fettercairn 22 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Fettercairn 22 Year Old

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£244 vs £250)
  • +Longer maturation (22 vs 17 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Pros

  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£250 vs £244)

Who should buy Fettercairn?

Fettercairn 22 Year Old 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

Fresh FruitCitricHoneyMalt Extract

Only Fettercairn 22 Year Old

Vanilla

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