Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask vs Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask
Teeling
£154
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£140
| Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask | Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Teeling | Caol Ila |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Ireland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 57.4% |
| Age | 21 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £153.5 | £139.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask
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).
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £140 vs £154.
For beginners: Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£153.5 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 £153.5)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Teeling?
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask 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 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 Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.3 Ruby Port Cask
Only Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)