Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2

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

Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2
DistilleryCaol IlaWhisky Souls
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV57.4%45.1%
Age30 yr40 yr
Price£139.95£129.5
Rating5.00/5

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

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

Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2 is better value at £130 vs £140.

For beginners: Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2 is more approachable (75/100 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 £129.5)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£129.5 vs £139.95)
  • +Longer maturation (40 vs 30 years)

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 Living?

Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2 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.

Tasting notes

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

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodMedicinal

Only Living Souls 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky - Batch #2

SherriedVanillaCitricToastedHoney

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