Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) vs North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
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
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
North British
£306
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | North British |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 55.9% | 43.1% |
| Age | 17 yr | NAS |
| Price | £250 | £306.22 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
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 £306.
For beginners: North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (75/100 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 £306.22)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£306.22 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 North?
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Only North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)