Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£140
New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990
The New Zealand Whisky Company
£113
| Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | The New Zealand Whisky Company |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | New Zealand |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.4% | 61.7% |
| Age | 30 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £139.95 | £113.42 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990 is better value at £113 vs £140.
For beginners: New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990 is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
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)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£139.95 vs £113.42)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£113.42 vs £139.95)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (61.7%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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.
Who should buy New?
New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990 suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Only New Zealand 21 Year Old 1990