Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
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
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
Imperial
£272
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Imperial |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 42.2% |
| Age | 17 yr | 27 yr |
| Price | £250 | £271.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
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 £272.
For beginners: Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls is more approachable (70/100 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 £271.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (27 vs 17 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£271.95 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 Imperial?
Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Only Imperial 27 Year Old 1998 - Living Souls