Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017 vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017
Lochnagar
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017 | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lochnagar | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58.1% | 55.9% |
| Age | 12 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017
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).
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017 is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.1%) — 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 12 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Royal?
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017 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 Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old - The Manager's Dram 2017
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)