Famous Grouse Highland Decanter vs Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£100
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Duncan Taylor
£87
| Famous Grouse Highland Decanter | Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Famous Grouse | Duncan Taylor |
| Region | Other Scotch | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 52.9% |
| Age | NAS | 17 yr |
| Price | £99.99 | £86.96 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £87 vs £100.
For beginners: Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£99.99 vs £86.96)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£86.96 vs £99.99)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (52.9%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Famous?
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter 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.
Who should buy Islay?
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Only Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)