Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Tomatin 30 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Bowmore
£675

Tomatin 30 Year Old
Tomatin
★ 5.00
£585
| Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Tomatin 30 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Tomatin |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.4% | 46% |
| Age | 21 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £675 | £585 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Tomatin 30 Year Old
Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Tomatin 30 Year Old
Quick verdict
Tomatin 30 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Tomatin 30 Year Old is better value at £585 vs £675.
For beginners: Tomatin 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (53.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£675 vs £585)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Tomatin 30 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Tomatin?
Tomatin 30 Year Old 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
Both taste of
Only Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Tomatin 30 Year Old
Where to buy
Bowmore 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 3735959) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Tomatin 30 Year Old
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange