Highland Park 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/084) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/084) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Highland Park
£280
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Highland Park 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/084) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Caol Ila |
| Region | Island | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57% | 55.9% |
| Age | 29 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £279.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Highland Park 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/084) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Highland Park 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/084) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
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).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £280.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/084) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (29 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£279.95 vs £250)
- −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 affordable (£250 vs £279.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/084) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 Highland Park 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/084) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)