Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
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
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Arran
£389
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Arran |
| Region | Islay | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 51.9% |
| Age | 17 yr | 26 yr |
| Price | £250 | £388.5 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
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 £389.
For beginners: Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
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 £388.5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£388.5 vs £250)
- −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 Arran?
Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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 Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Only Arran 26 Year Old 1997 (cask 17849) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)