Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
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
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
Caperdonich
£295
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Caperdonich |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 55.1% |
| Age | 17 yr | 22 yr |
| Price | £250 | £295 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
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 £295.
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)
- +More affordable (£250 vs £295)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (22 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£295 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 Caperdonich?
Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers) 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 Caperdonich 22 Year Old 1997 (cask 5884) - Distillery Reserve Collection (Chivas Brothers)