Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition)
Yamazaki
£299
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Yamazaki | Tomintoul |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 53.9% |
| Age | NAS | 31 yr |
| Price | £299 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is better value at £224 vs £299.
For beginners: Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −More expensive (£299 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £299)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Yamazaki?
Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.
Who should buy Tomintoul?
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask 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
Both taste of
Only Yamazaki Smoky Batch (First Edition)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask