Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Ballantine's
£375
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ballantine's | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £375 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
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 £375.
For beginners: Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£375 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 £375)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Ballantines?
Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.
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 Ballantines 17 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)