Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited)
Ben Nevis
£218
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ben Nevis | Caol Ila |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.8% | 55.9% |
| Age | 23 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £217.66 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited)
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).
Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited) is better value at £218 vs £250.
For beginners: Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited)
Pros
- +More affordable (£217.66 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.8%) — 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 £217.66)
Who should buy Ben?
Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited) 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
Both taste of
Only Ben Nevis 23 Year Old 1999 (cask 905) (Limited)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)