Name: Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Brand: Caol Ila
Price: 250.00 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (5 reviews)

Question 1

What does Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) taste like?

Accepted Answer

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is characterised by Citric, Fresh Fruit, Honey, Malt Extract notes. Caol Ila's unpeated 1997 distillate offers a rare glimpse of the distillery stripped of its signature peat character, matured for 17 years in ex-bourbon casks before bottling at cask strength for Diageo's 2015 Special Releases series. Without the heavy smoke, Caol Ila's underlying maritime and honeyed grain characteristics emerge with greater clarity. This bottling reveals what lies beneath the distillery's more famous peated expressions, making it essential for those curious about Islay's full spectrum.

Question 2

Is Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) smoky or peaty?

Accepted Answer

No — Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is not smoky. It scores only 0/100 on smoke, with minimal or no peaty character.

Question 3

Is Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) sweet?

Accepted Answer

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) has some sweetness (58/100) but it's balanced by other flavours — not a dessert dram.

Question 4

Is Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) good for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is a good step up for beginners with some experience — not the easiest starting point, but very rewarding.

Question 5

Is Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) worth the money?

Accepted Answer

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) costs £250 and is rated 5.0/5 by the community (5 ratings). The quality justifies the price for enthusiasts.

Question 6

Should I drink Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) neat or with water?

Accepted Answer

At 55.9% ABV, Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) benefits from a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Try it neat first, then add water gradually.

Question 7

What food pairs well with Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)?

Accepted Answer

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) pairs well with honey cake, crème brûlée, mild soft cheeses, and glazed nuts. The balanced character complements these flavours naturally.

Question 8

What glass should I use for Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)?

Accepted Answer

A Glencairn glass is ideal for Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) — its tulip shape concentrates the aromas and lets you appreciate the full nose. A nosing glass or copita also works well.

Question 9

What is the best serving temperature for Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)?

Accepted Answer

Serve Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) at room temperature (around 18–22°C). Avoid chilling it — cold temperatures suppress the aromas. If the room is warm, a brief rest after pouring is all it needs.

Question 10

What is the community rating for Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)?

Accepted Answer

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is rated 5.0/5 on Neatly based on 5 community ratings. This puts it among the highest-rated whiskies in its category.

Question 11

Is Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) similar to Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) and Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus share a similar flavour profile (Honey, Malt Extract) and are in a similar price range. Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus costs £299 vs £250 for Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015).

Question 12

Is Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) similar to Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) and Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve share a similar flavour profile (Honey, Malt Extract) and are in a similar price range. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old - Toasted Oak Reserve costs £199 vs £250 for Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015).

Question 13

How does Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) compare to Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice?

Accepted Answer

Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) and Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice are in a similar price range but offer very different experiences. Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) is complex and layered, while Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is known for Sherried, Chocolate, Toasted notes. See the full comparison on Neatly.

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