Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky
DistilleryCaol IlaGlenmorangie
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV55.9%40%
Age17 yrNAS
Price£250£250
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner35/100
Value20/100

Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky is better value at £250 vs £250.

For beginners: Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water

Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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 Glenmorangie?

Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

CitricFresh FruitHoneyMalt Extract

Only Glenmorangie 12 Year Old / Millennium Malt Highland Whisky

Vanilla

Explore more