Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Artful Dodger
£180
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Artful Dodger | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.2% | 55.9% |
| Age | 30 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £179.5 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
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).
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger is better value at £180 vs £250.
For beginners: Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Pros
- +More affordable (£179.5 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.2%) — 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 £179.5)
Who should buy Speyside?
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger 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 Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)