Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808)
Edradour
£200
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Edradour | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54% | 55.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199.61 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808)
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).
Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808) is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199.61 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 17 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (54%) — 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)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199.61)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ballechin?
Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808) 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 Ballechin 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 808)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)