Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s
DistilleryDuncan TaylorTobermory
RegionIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV52.3%40%
Age17 yr10 yr
Price£97.24£99.99
Rating5.00/5

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £97 vs £100.

For beginners: Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£97.24 vs £99.99)
  • +Longer maturation (17 vs 10 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.3%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£99.99 vs £97.24)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Islay?

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Tobermory?

Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.

Tasting notes

Only Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokeySherriedOld WoodMedicinal

Only Tobermory 10 Year Old - 2000s

HoneyMalt ExtractFresh Fruit

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