Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Aberlour
£199
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Aberlour |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 56.5% |
| Age | 17 yr | 16 yr |
| Price | £250 | £199 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15 is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 16 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Pros
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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.
Who should buy Aberlour?
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15 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 Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Only Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15