Tomatin 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 6655) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Tomatin 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 6655) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Tomatin
£750
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Ardbeg
★ 4.82
£499
| Tomatin 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 6655) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomatin | Ardbeg |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.3% | 46% |
| Age | 31 yr | 16 yr |
| Price | £749.98 | £499 |
| Rating | — | 4.82/5 |
Tomatin 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 6655) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Tomatin 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 6655) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Quick verdict
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is rated higher (4.82 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is better value at £499 vs £750.
For beginners: Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Tomatin 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 6655) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 16 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (57.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£749.98 vs £499)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Tomatin?
Tomatin 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 6655) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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.
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) 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
Only Tomatin 31 Year Old 1988 (cask 6655) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)