New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye vs Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye
New Riff
£106

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£140
| New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye | Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | New Riff | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Rye | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.8% | 57.4% |
| Age | NAS | 30 yr |
| Price | £106.27 | £139.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye is better value at £106 vs £140.
For beginners: New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye
Pros
- +More affordable (£106.27 vs £139.95)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.8%) — may need water
- −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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£139.95 vs £106.27)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy New?
New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye 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 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 New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye
Only Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)