Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd

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

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
DistilleryCaol IlaFiley Bay
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandEngland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV57.4%57.6%
Age30 yrNAS
Price£139.95£125
Rating5.00/5

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

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

Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd is better value at £125 vs £140.

For beginners: Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd is more approachable (35/100 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 £125)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd

Pros

  • +More affordable (£125 vs £139.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (57.6%) — 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 Spirit?

Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd 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 Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodMedicinal

Only Spirit of Yorkshire 2017 (bottled 2023) (cask 2237) - Berry Bros. & Rudd

SherriedDried FruitVanillaToasted

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