Sauza White Label / Bot.1970s vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

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

Sauza White Label / Bot.1970sCaol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
DistillerySauzaCaol Ila
RegionIslay
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%55.9%
AgeNAS17 yr
Price£225£250
Rating5.00/5

Sauza White Label / Bot.1970s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

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

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

Sauza White Label / Bot.1970s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Sauza White Label / Bot.1970s is better value at £225 vs £250.

For beginners: Sauza White Label / Bot.1970s is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Sauza White Label / Bot.1970s

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£225 vs £250)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

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 £225)

Who should buy Sauza?

Sauza White Label / Bot.1970s is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

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

CitricFresh Fruit

Only Sauza White Label / Bot.1970s

Vanilla

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

HoneyMalt Extract

Explore more