Glenfarclas 22 Year Old - The Spirit of the Millennium vs Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

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

Glenfarclas 22 Year Old - The Spirit of the MillenniumCaol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
DistilleryGlenfarclasCaol Ila
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV32%57.4%
Age22 yr30 yr
Price£154.71£139.95
Rating5.00/5

Glenfarclas 22 Year Old - The Spirit of the Millennium

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value36/100

Glenfarclas 22 Year Old - The Spirit of the Millennium

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £140 vs £155.

For beginners: Glenfarclas 22 Year Old - The Spirit of the Millennium is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Glenfarclas 22 Year Old - The Spirit of the Millennium

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£154.71 vs £139.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£139.95 vs £154.71)

Cons

  • High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Glenfarclas?

Glenfarclas 22 Year Old - The Spirit of the Millennium suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Glenfarclas 22 Year Old - The Spirit of the Millennium

HoneySherriedToastedVanillaMalt Extract

Only Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodMedicinal

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