Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Forgotten Gems
★ 3.00
£200
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Forgotten Gems | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58% | 55.9% |
| Age | 21 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £250 |
| Rating | 3.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
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 3.00).
Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Pros
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (3.0 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 £199.95)
Who should buy Blended?
Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems 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 Blended Japanese Whisky 21 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)