Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
Caperdonich
£295
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caperdonich | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.1% | 55.9% |
| Age | 22 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £295 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
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 £295.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (22 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£295 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 £295)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caperdonich?
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers) 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.
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
Only Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)