Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky
Blair Athol
£180
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Blair Athol | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 55.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £180 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland 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).
Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky is better value at £180 vs £250.
For beginners: Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£180 vs £250)
Cons
- −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 £180)
Who should buy Blair?
Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland 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 Blair Athol 8 Year Old / Special Light / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)