Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum

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

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum
DistilleryCaol IlaFoursquare
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV57.4%40%
Age30 yrNAS
Price£139.95£110
Rating5.00/5

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

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

Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum is better value at £110 vs £140.

For beginners: Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum is more approachable (70/100 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)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£139.95 vs £110)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£110 vs £139.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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 Foursquare?

Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

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

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodMedicinal

Only Foursquare 2008 / 12 Year Old Single Traditional Blended Rum

VanillaDried FruitToastedHoney

Explore more