Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
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
Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Highland Park
★ 4.50
£267
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Highland Park |
| Region | Islay | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 46% |
| Age | 17 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £250 | £266.55 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.50/5 |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is better value at £250 vs £267.
For beginners: Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is more approachable (50/100 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 £266.55)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£266.55 vs £250)
- −Lower community rating (4.5 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 Highland?
Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Only Highland Park 1994 (bottled 2015) (cask 33) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)