Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Strathisla
£195
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Strathisla | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.8% | 55.9% |
| Age | 13 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £194.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
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).
Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) is better value at £195 vs £250.
For beginners: Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +More affordable (£194.95 vs £250)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.8%) — may need water
- −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)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 13 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £194.95)
Who should buy Strathisla?
Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) 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 Strathisla 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)