Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)The Antiquary 21 Year Old
DistilleryDuncan TaylorThe Antiquary
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltBlended
ABV52.9%43%
Age17 yr21 yr
Price£86.96£84.9
Rating5.00/5

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness47/100
Beginner75/100
Value59/100

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is better value at £85 vs £87.

For beginners: The Antiquary 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (52.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£86.96 vs £84.9)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£84.9 vs £86.96)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

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.

Who should buy The?

The Antiquary 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810087) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokeyLeathery

Only The Antiquary 21 Year Old

SherriedDried FruitTobaccoNutty

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