Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)
Glen Grant
£209
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glen Grant | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 47.5% | 55.9% |
| Age | 26 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £208.55 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)
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).
Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £209 vs £250.
For beginners: Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +More affordable (£208.55 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
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 £208.55)
Who should buy Glen?
Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor) 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 Glen Grant 26 Year Old 1990 (cask 16979) - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)