Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask
Balvenie
★ 4.80
£199
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48.3% | 55.9% |
| Age | 14 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | 4.80/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask
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 4.80).
Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 14 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside 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
Only Balvenie 14 Year Old Peated Triple Cask
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)