Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Hellyers Road 19 Year Old 2003 (Barrel No. 20F10C04) Voyager Cask
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
Hellyers Road 19 Year Old 2003 (Barrel No. 20F10C04) Voyager Cask
Hellyers Road
£325
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | Hellyers Road 19 Year Old 2003 (Barrel No. 20F10C04) Voyager Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Hellyers Road |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Australia |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 57% |
| Age | 17 yr | 19 yr |
| Price | £250 | £325 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Hellyers Road 19 Year Old 2003 (Barrel No. 20F10C04) Voyager Cask
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Hellyers Road 19 Year Old 2003 (Barrel No. 20F10C04) Voyager Cask
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 £325.
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 £325)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Hellyers Road 19 Year Old 2003 (Barrel No. 20F10C04) Voyager Cask
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (19 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (57%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£325 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 Hellyers?
Hellyers Road 19 Year Old 2003 (Barrel No. 20F10C04) Voyager Cask 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 Hellyers Road 19 Year Old 2003 (Barrel No. 20F10C04) Voyager Cask