Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old 1991 (Thompson Bros.) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old 1991 (Thompson Bros.)
Thompson Bros.
£285
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old 1991 (Thompson Bros.) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Thompson Bros. | Tomintoul |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49% | 53.9% |
| Age | 30 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £284.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old 1991 (Thompson Bros.)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old 1991 (Thompson Bros.)
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 £285.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old 1991 (Thompson Bros.)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −More expensive (£284.95 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £284.95)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 30 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Islay?
Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old 1991 (Thompson Bros.) 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 Islay Single Malt 30 Year Old 1991 (Thompson Bros.)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask